Validation of Mobile Messages for an mHealth Intervention for Smokeless Tobacco Cessation in India

Abstract

Background: With the growth in use of mobile messages for behaviour change, the need to incorporate personal needs and cultural characteristics of target users has been promoted. The study aimed to describe the findings of content validation of mobile messages designed to promote smokeless tobacco cessation in primary care. Methods: This study used a concurrent mixed-method approach with 13 patients who were tobacco users at urban primary care clinics. The clarity and appeal of 32 messages were rated on a Likert scale from 1 to 10. A mean clarity and appeal score per message was generated. A 5-item discussion guide was used for in-depth interviews and data was analysed using framework analysis. Results: Participants found the content of the messages useful, and preferred shorter and audio formatted messages. The clarity scores for the messages ranged from 7.9 to 9.4 with an average score of 8.7 (SD 0.5). The appeal scores ranged from 7.3 to 9.2, with an average score of 8.5 (SD 0.6). Conclusions: Twenty-six from a total of 32 messages were found appropriate and finalised for use. This methodology can be used when developing contextually relevant mobile message interventions in other low resource settings.

Transformative Multimedia Messages for Smokeless Tobacco Cessation: Tech-Savvy against Tobacco

“…We commend the authors [1] for their recent work 'Validation of mobile messages for an mhealth intervention for smokeless tobacco cessation in India. ' The work presented is undoubtedly a significant step towards addressing the critical issue of increasing prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption, especially in lowand middle-income countries like India.…”