A Mobile Smoking Cessation Intervention for Mexico (Vive sin Tabaco... ¡Decídete!): Single-Arm Pilot Study

Abstract

Background Of the 14.3 million Mexicans who smoke, only a minority take advantage of evidence-based approaches to smoking cessation. Mobile health interventions have the potential to increase the reach of effective cessation interventions in Mexico. Objective This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative, personalized, and interactive smoking cessation mobile intervention developed for Mexican smokers. Methods We recruited 40 Mexican smokers to participate in Vive sin Tabaco... ¡Decídete! , a smoking cessation program that uses a tablet-based decision support software to drive a 12-week text messaging smoking cessation program and pharmacotherapy support. Outcome measures included participant text messaging interactivity with the program, participant satisfaction, and 12-week verified abstinence using urinary cotinine testing or exhaled carbon monoxide. Results Average age of the participants was 36 years (SD 10.7), and they were primarily male (65%, 26/40) with at least an undergraduate degree (62%, 25/40). Most participants (95%, 38/40) smoked daily and were interested in quitting in the next 7 days. As an indicator of participant interactivity, participants sent an average of 21 text messages during the 12-week intervention (SD 17.62). Of the 843 messages that participants sent to the program, only 96 messages (11.3%, 96/843) used keywords. At 12 weeks, 40% (16/40) of participants were biochemically verified (87%, 35/40, follow-up rate). The majority of participants (85%, 30/35) reported being very satisfied or extremely satisfied with the program. Conclusions The Vive sin Tabaco... ¡Decídete! smoking cessation mobile intervention was accepted by participants, generated high satisfaction and high text messaging interactivity, and resulted in a noteworthy cessation rate at the end of treatment. This intervention is a promising strategy for smoking cessation in Mexico. Additional testing as a formal randomized clinical trial appears warranted.

Web-based decision-making tool for smoking cessation (Pare de fumar conosco) among patients with chronic conditions in Brazil : one-arm feasibility study

“…Consistent with the studies that have analysed the effects of web-based smoking cessation decision-making tools in the USA and Mexico, Pare de fumar conosco increased interest in using pharmacotherapy and group counselling 24 26–28. However, cessation rate at 12 weeks was lower in this study (9.4% vs 19.1% in Mexico and 11.8% in the USA).…”

“…Pare de fumar conosco (Stop smoking with us; www.imepen.com/decidete) was adapted from an existing web-based decision-making tool for smoking cessation developed in English and Spanish for use among Latinos in the USA24 and Mexico 26–28. A panel of Brazilian healthcare professionals adapted the content of the tool to the resources, perceptions and sociocultural characteristics of Brazilian smokers.…”

Enhancing nicotine replacement therapy usage and adherence through a mobile intervention: Secondary data analysis of a single-arm feasibility study in Mexico

“…The present study includes a secondary data analysis of a single-arm feasibility study in Mexico. The parent pilot study, described in detail elsewhere, assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative, personalized and interactive smoking cessation mobile intervention developed for Mexican smokers 16 .…”

“…In 2017, 40 smokers were recruited using a multimedia campaign (Facebook and radio) to participate in a smoking cessation single-arm pilot study. The parent pilot study describes the recruitment methods in more detail 16 . Inclusion criteria for participants were: 1) Mexican origin, 2) aged ≥18 years, 3) smoked for at least 6 months, 4) smoked at least 3 days per week, 5) interested in quitting within the next 30 days, 6) had a cell phone with text messaging capability, and 7) willing to complete surveys at baseline and at follow-up at 12 weeks.…”

“…is a smoking cessation mHealth intervention that encompasses three integrated components: 1) a tablet-based software that collects personal smokingrelated information to support the development of an individualized quit plan; 2) a 12-week individuallytailored text messaging program with interactive capabilities that includes educational information, behavioral strategies, and motivational messaging driven by information obtained from the tablet-based software; and 3) pharmacotherapy support, when applicable. Details of the intervention are described in detail elsewhere 16 .…”