ASPO Abstracts
Preliminary Findings of Tailored Tobacco Cessation Services with Short Messaging in the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (ASHLine).
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention, Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2018
Abstract Body:
Background: Tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Evidence based guidelines recommend combination treatment of counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to achieve optimal tobacco quit outcomes. The Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (ASHLine) is a no-cost resource available for Arizonans who want to quit tobacco. Clients receive telephone coaching and an optional 4-week supply of NRT. While person to person coaching is ideal for tobacco cessation, evidence for the role of short message service (SMS) in achieving successful quit is growing. ASHLine has integrated an optional bidirectional SMS exchange program to supplement existing clinical services, initiated by the quit coach upon client approval. Goals of the program include improved client engagement and retention and, long-term higher quit rates. Here we present preliminary findings of the bidirectional SMS program. Methods: Clients who enrolled in ASHLine between Oct. 1, 2016 and Nov. 22, 2017 were queried about receipt of supplemental SMS from their coach and/or to receive an automated series of Quit Support SMS (QSSMS). Clients were stratified by SMS status (receiving or not receiving SMS). Chi-Square and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare groups. Results: Over 2,000 clients (17%) opted to receive SMS. Over 14,170 SMS messages were sent, 59% belonged to a specific QSSMS series. Clients communicated with coaches via 5,198 SMS messages. Of the 4 available series, the “Active Quit Series” was most frequently subscribed. Clients choosing to receive SMS messages were younger (mean age 51 y. versus 55 y. p <0.01), more likely to be uninsured, and used NRT as part of their quit than those who did not opt for SMS. Clients who engaged in SMS completed more coaching calls than those who did not with 6.6 versus 5.2 calls, respectively (p <0.001). Early evaluation of 7-month quit data (n=114) indicate no difference in quit rates by SMS status (31% versus 34.5%). Conclusions: Initial findings suggest SMS programming is feasible especially among younger, uninsured clients. More research is warranted on the use of SMS to engage and retain clients in smoking cessation programs.
Keywords: Tobacco cessation, text messaging, SMS, quitline