Quit4baby: Results From a Pilot Test of a Mobile Smoking Cessation Program for Pregnant Women

Abstract

BackgroundText messaging (short message service, SMS) programs have been shown to be effective in helping adult smokers quit smoking. This study describes the results of a pilot test of Quit4baby, a smoking cessation text messaging program for pregnant smokers that was adapted from Text2quit.ObjectiveThe study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of Quit4baby for women currently enrolled in Text4baby, a perinatal health text messaging program.MethodsPregnant women enrolled in Text4baby and who were current smokers or had quit within the last 4 weeks (n=20) were enrolled in Quit4baby. Those under the age of 18, not pregnant, not current smokers, those using nicotine replacement therapy, and those not interested in participating were ineligible. Participants were surveyed at baseline and at 2 and 4 weeks postenrollment.ResultsMost participants responded to the program favorably. Highly rated aspects included the content of the program, skills taught within the program, and encouragement and social support provided by the program. Participants reported that the program was helpful in quitting, that the program gave good ideas on quitting, and that they would recommend the program to a friend. Suggestions for improvement included increasing the message dose and making the quitpal more interactive.ConclusionsThis pilot test provides support for the feasibility and acceptability of Quit4baby. Future studies are needed to assess whether Quit4baby is effective for smoking cessation during pregnancy.

Recruiting pregnant smokers from Text4baby for a randomized controlled trial of Quit4baby

“…The purpose of this study was to build on an earlier pilot [36] and to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of recruiting pregnant smokers from the Text4-baby subscriber base for an efficacy trial of Quit4baby. Quit4baby is a smoking cessation text messaging program for pregnant women envisioned as an add-on service for smokers in Text4baby, as well as a standalone smoking cessation program [37].…”

A Randomized Trial of Text Messaging for Smoking Cessation in Pregnant Women

“…23–28 Existing studies consist of pilot studies that are underpowered for efficacy, have short-term follow-up, 24–27 lack a control group, 24 or lack biochemical verification of self-reported smoking status. 24 Studies indicate that text messaging programs are acceptable for smoking cessation in pregnant women, 24,25,28 can result in favorable outcomes across a number of psychosocial mechanisms, 25 but have mixed efficacy. 26–28 …”

The Usability and Effectiveness of Mobile Health Technology�Based Lifestyle and Medical Intervention Apps Supporting Health Care During Pregnancy: Systematic Review

“…After activation, there is an adequate short-and long-term use as well as intention to use these apps [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. This is in line with the perceived suitability of the apps that are often judged as good, easy, and simple to use.…”

“…These studies focused on smoking cessation [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25], nutrition [17,18], weight control [23], and physical activity [20]. All studies reported that the study participants opened and responded to the messages they received; however, responding to the messages varied from 59 to 100% of all participants in the study.…”

“…For smoking cessation [22][23][24][25][26] as well as for nutrition [26] and weight control [21,27,31], the satisfaction of the participants was high. Participants described the app as helpful or useful.…”