Nandita Krishnan1, Jiayan Gu2, Lorien C Abroms2. 1. The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Washington, D.C., USA. Electronic address: nkrishnan@gwu.edu. 2. The George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Washington, D.C., USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Mobile phone-based tobacco cessation (mCessation) interventions are effective in high-income countries but their effectiveness in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is unclear. We aimed to assess the evidence-base for mCessation interventions in LMICs by synthesizing study characteristics and to describe intervention characteristics and content. METHODS: Studies were included in this review if they evaluated an intervention that targeted tobacco users, were conducted in an LMIC, measured tobacco cessation as a primary or secondary outcome, and were primarily delivered using mobile phone (text or app-based) messaging. Data were extracted on fields pertaining to study and intervention characteristics and study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. Screening, extraction and quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Of 606 unique records, 12 articles were included. The majority of studies were methodologically weak. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes, short follow-up durations and use of self-reported outcomes. Most evaluations were conducted in upper middle-income countries with urban, adult smokers intending to quit smoking. Approximately half the interventions were bidirectional (enabled two-way messaging) and fully automated. Almost all interventions were delivered via SMS. Treatment offerings of the intervention and control groups varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: More rigorous large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to conclusively establish the efficacy of mCessation interventions in LMICs. Interventions also need to be tested across more diverse populations and settings. Future studies should test the relative effectiveness of different intervention characteristics.
INTRODUCTION: Mobile phone-based tobacco cessation (mCessation) interventions are effective in high-income countries but their effectiveness in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) is unclear. We aimed to assess the evidence-base for mCessation interventions in LMICs by synthesizing study characteristics and to describe intervention characteristics and content. METHODS: Studies were included in this review if they evaluated an intervention that targeted tobacco users, were conducted in an LMIC, measured tobacco cessation as a primary or secondary outcome, and were primarily delivered using mobile phone (text or app-based) messaging. Data were extracted on fields pertaining to study and intervention characteristics and study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool. Screening, extraction and quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Of 606 unique records, 12 articles were included. The majority of studies were methodologically weak. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes, short follow-up durations and use of self-reported outcomes. Most evaluations were conducted in upper middle-income countries with urban, adult smokers intending to quit smoking. Approximately half the interventions were bidirectional (enabled two-way messaging) and fully automated. Almost all interventions were delivered via SMS. Treatment offerings of the intervention and control groups varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: More rigorous large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to conclusively establish the efficacy of mCessation interventions in LMICs. Interventions also need to be tested across more diverse populations and settings. Future studies should test the relative effectiveness of different intervention characteristics.
Authors: Sam Streck; Ryan McIntire; Lawrence Canale; J Michael Anderson; Micah Hartwell; Trevor Torgerson; Kelly Dunn; Matt Vassar Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2022-04-28 Impact factor: 5.825
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Authors: William Douglas Evans; Lorien C Abroms; David Broniatowski; Melissa Napolitano; Jeanie Arnold; Megumi Ichimiya; Sohail Agha Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-07-26 Impact factor: 4.614