WhatsApp embedded in routine service delivery for smoking cessation: effects on abstinence rates in a randomized controlled study

The demand for smoking cessation services has risen in Turkey, as smokers planning to quit reached 35% in 2012. Communication technologies are used globally to support quitters, yet their integration to health services is rare. This study aims to evaluate the effect of support messages through Whats...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC public health 2019-04, Vol.19 (1), p.387-387, Article 387
Main Authors: Durmaz, Seyfi, Ergin, Isil, Durusoy, Raika, Hassoy, Hur, Caliskan, Ayhan, Okyay, Pinar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abstinence
Analysis
Cellular telephones
Cessation service
Clinical trials
Clinics
Continuity
Control methods
Counseling
Drug addiction
Drugs
Gender differences
Health aspects
Intervention
Medical research
Messages
Public health
Randomization
Randomized controlled study
Regression analysis
Smoking
Smoking cessation
Social media
Social networks
Studies
Success
Supply and demand
Technology
Text messaging
Tobacco
Transportation services
WhatsApp
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Summary:The demand for smoking cessation services has risen in Turkey, as smokers planning to quit reached 35% in 2012. Communication technologies are used globally to support quitters, yet their integration to health services is rare. This study aims to evaluate the effect of support messages through WhatsApp application added to the usual care of a university hospital cessation unit, as compared to usual care alone, on abstinence rates at first month. A randomized controlled intervention study was conducted with 132 patients applying to Ege University Hospital's Department of Public Health Smoking Cessation Clinic, between March and July 2017. Intervention content was prepared and 60 WhatsApp messages about having a plan of action and preventing relapse were developed through expert panels. These messages lasted for 3 months and follow-ups continued for 6 months. The primary outcome was abstinence rate at 1st month post target quit day. As secondary outcomes; the continuous abstinence rates at 3rd and 6th months, number of follow-ups, change in weight and continuity of medication were evaluated. Intention-to-treat analysis was used. Abstinence rate at 1st month was 65.9% in the intervention group and 40.9% in the control group (p = 0.007); 50.0 and 30.7% at 3rd month and 40.9 and 22.7% at 6th month, consecutively (both p 
ISSN:1471-2458
1471-2458
DOI:10.1186/s12889-019-6727-z