Feasibility and Acceptability of a Culturally- and Linguistically-Adapted Smoking Cessation Text Messaging Intervention for Latino Smokers

Abstract

Objective: Assess the feasibility and acceptability of a culturally- and linguistically-adapted smoking cessation text messaging intervention for Latino smokers. Methods: Using a community-based strategy, 50 Latino smokers were recruited to participate in a smoking cessation pilot study. Participants received a 12-week text messaging intervention and were offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) at no cost. We assessed biochemically verified abstinence at 12 weeks, text messaging interactivity with the program, NRT utilization, self-efficacy, therapeutic alliance, and satisfaction. Results: Participants were 44.8 years old on average (SD 9.80), and they were primarily male (66%) and had no health insurance (78%). Most of the participants were born in Mexico (82%) and were light smokers (1–10 CPD) (68%). All participants requested the first order of NRT, and 66% requested a refill. Participants sent an average of 39.7 text messages during the 12-week intervention (SD 82.70). At 12 weeks, 30% of participants were biochemically verified abstinent (88% follow-up rate) and working alliance mean value was 79.2 (SD 9.04). Self-efficacy mean score increased from 33.98 (SD 10.36) at baseline to 40.05 (SD 17.65) at follow-up ( p = 0.04). The majority of participants (90.9%, 40/44) reported being very or extremely satisfied with the program. Conclusion: A culturally- and linguistically-adapted smoking cessation text messaging intervention for Latinos offers a promising strategy to increase the use of NRT, generated high satisfaction and frequent interactivity, significantly increased self-efficacy, produced high therapeutic alliance, and resulted in noteworthy cessation rates at the end of treatment. Additional testing as a formal randomized clinical trial is warranted.

Decídetexto: Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile Smoking Cessation Intervention in Puerto Rico

“…Compared to the study conducted among Latino smokers in the U.S. mainland, participants in this study reported higher self-efficacy for quitting smoking at baseline [ 33 ]. However, it is important to note that in both studies, self-efficacy significantly increased from baseline to Month 3.…”

“…Interestingly, participants interacted at higher levels in this study (42.9 text messages per participant). Similar to the studies conducted by Cartujano-Barrera et al and Cupertino et al, participants in this study mostly sent their own, self-composed text messages rather than relying on keywords for a program response [ 31 , 32 , 33 ]. This finding reinforces the hypothesis that text messaging interactivity via keywords may not be sufficient for smoking cessation.…”

“…These results highlight the importance of studying the role of self-efficacy as a predictor of smoking abstinence among Latinos. Another comparison to note is that participants in this study reported lower working alliance compared to Latino smokers in the U.S. mainland [ 33 ]. However, this result should be interpreted with caution as the questionnaire used to measure working alliance showed inadequate psychometric properties (e.g., α = 0.40).…”

“…Participants in this pilot study reported a similar cessation rate at Month 3 to smokers in Mexico enrolled in a comparable mobile smoking cessation intervention (40%) [ 32 ]. Yet, participants in this study reported a higher cessation rate at Month 3 compared to Latino smokers in the U.S. mainland enrolled in a comparable mobile smoking cessation intervention (30.0%) [ 33 ]. A deep understanding of the differences in smoking cessation among Latino smokers living in these two different contexts (Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland) may improve our understanding of tobacco-related disparities faced by Puerto Ricans.…”

“…Five studies have assessed participant interactivity in smoking cessation text messaging programs [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 45 , 46 ]. Interestingly, participants interacted at higher levels in this study (42.9 text messages per participant).…”