The effectiveness of university-based tobacco cessation program on tobacco consumption behavior of university students: A systematic review and meta-analysis

• Published in: Tobacco induced diseases 2021-09, Vol.19 (1)
• Main Authors: Setchoduk, Kanyaphat, Lapvongwatana, Punyarat, Chansatitporn, Nutkamol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavior; Cigarette smoking; Colleges & universities; Contingency; Drug addiction; Intervention; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Students; Tobacco; Tobacco smoking; University students
• ISSN: 1617-9625; 1617-9625
• DOI: 10.18332/tid/140952

Introduction: The overall trend of Thai national tobacco smoking has steadily declined in the past decade except among youths aged between 19 – 24 years old. The implementation of a suitable program for university students is an essential strategy to enhance the success rate of smoking cessation. Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of university-based tobacco cessation program on tobacco consumption behavior of university students. Methods: The searching of 236 studies found in both published and unpublished sources from 2009 until present. After screening for eligibility and quality of the studies with PICO and two independent reviewers, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. The Population (P) was university/college students, Intervention (I) comprised of the tobacco cessation program conducted as setting-based at university/college, Comparison (C) was usual care or control group and Outcomes (O) consisted of the change in tobacco consumption behaviour measured by self-report of abstinence, intention to treat, quit attempt, and biochemical verification of abstinence. Results: The effective interventions to change the tobacco consumption behavior among university students were quit and win contest, contingency management, Text-based smoking cessation intervention, self-help program, Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), motivational interview, educational intervention, and mobile mindfulness-based approach. The meta-analysis with limited studied (3 studies) revealed that the quit and win contest is the most effective program to abstain from tobacco use verified by biochemical among university students [OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.69, 1.00, I2 = 0]. Conclusion(s): The university student is a group of population who need a special intervention for tobacco cessation. Quit and win contest, originated in USA, offered a large grand prize to abstain from tobacco smoking which might not be appropriate in Thai context. Thus, the application of combined interventions may effectively change and sustain university student tobacco consumption behaviour in a longer term.