Project description:ObjectivesSmoking is common in patients with cardiovascular disease. Despite strong recommendations for cessation and the existence of efficacious pharmacological and behavioral interventions, cessation rates remain low. Therefore, in this study, we explore perceived facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who have participated in a cessation intervention study.MethodsParticipants (N = 10) from the intervention arm of a randomized controlled study with access to free cessation support and pharmacological aids completed a semi-structured, in-depth telephone interview after a 6-monthfollow-up between October 2021 and July 2022. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to principles of thematic analysis.ResultsThe mean age was 65.7 (range: 55-79) years, and three of the 10 participants were women. Among the participants, five had quit smoking, three had relapsed, and two were persistent smokers. The themes identified encompassed barriers and facilitators to cessation, both including individual and contextual factors. Barriers included the upsides of smoking, difficult life situations, addiction to smoking, smoking in social circles, perceived lack of support and understanding from health professionals. Facilitators included intrinsic motivation, concerns about the health condition, financial implications, specific behavioral strategies, positive influence from the social environment, and helpful components of the cessation intervention.ConclusionSmokers with cardiovascular disease who have attended a cessation intervention study report several facilitators weighted against barriers, interacting with the intention to cease smoking. The most important potentially modifiable factors of significance for cessation identified may be addressed through motivational interviews and focus groups with other smokers.
Project description:BackgroundChina is the largest tobacco producer and has the highest number of tobacco consumers in the world. Extensive research has demonstrated the utility of social media for smoking cessation. WeChat is the most commonly used social media platform in China, but has not yet been utilized for smoking cessation interventions. The objectives of this study are (1) to evaluate the efficacy of a WeChat-based smoking cessation intervention; and (2) to examine a possible additive effect of integrating oral health and smoking-related information into a tailored, Transtheoretical Model (TTM) guided smoking cessation intervention.MethodsEligible adults were recruited through WeChat from July 1 to August 6, 2019, to participate in a 3-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. We enrolled and randomized 403 participants into three groups: the Standard Group, Enhanced Group, or a Waitlist-Control Group. Participants in the Standard Group received 20 smoking cessation-related messages for 2 weeks; participants in the Enhanced Group received this same protocol plus 6 oral health-related messages over an additional week. Participants in the Control Group received smoking cessation-related messages, after the post-intervention assessment. The primary outcome was TTM Stage of Change, and the secondary outcomes were 7-day Point Prevalence Abstinence (PPA), 24-h PPA, daily cigarette use, and nicotine dependence at 4 weeks follow-up post intervention, comparing intervention groups with the control group. The overall program attrition rate was 46%. Paired t-tests, McNemar tests, and linear and logistic regression were used to examine differences in smoking cessation outcomes within and between groups.ResultsParticipants in the Enhanced Group (β = -1.28, 95%CI: -2.13, -0.44) and the Standard Group (β = -1.13, 95%CI: -1.95, -0.30) reported larger changes in nicotine dependence scores, compared to participants in the Waitlist Group. No statistically significant differences were found between the Enhanced Group and the Standard Group.DiscussionThis WeChat-based intervention was effective for smoking cessation overall. The addition of oral health information did not significantly improve the intervention.
Project description:IntroductionDespite the benefits of quitting smoking for those who have cancer, including improved health outcomes and reduced therapeutic toxicities, it is unclear how many people are supported in quit attempts during this time. Variations in the availability and provision of smoking cessation (SC) services are reported, with little understanding of the challenges and solutions. This codesigned study aimed to understand the perspectives of health care professionals (HCPs) working in oncology settings to engage in SC practices and identify recommendations for developing a SC pathway.Aims and methodsThis was a qualitative study. Eighteen HCPs participated in semi-structured interviews from July 2021 to May 2022. We used thematic analysis approaches to code data and present four themes and SC strategies at micro, meso, and organizational levels.ResultsFour themes are reported specifically: (1) timing and knowledge, (2) building a relationship, (3) frequent asking with infrequent action, and (4) removing the barriers and tailoring the system. While HCPs discuss SC, there are variations in documentation and when conversations occur. Primarily, HCPs value the time to build therapeutic relationships with patients and thus may limit SC discussions in preference to treatment in clinical interactions. The role of structural barriers, including prescriptive authority for nurses, hinders active SC processes, as it is the lack of continuity and embedding of services supported by a clinical champion for SC.ConclusionsThe study suggests reevaluating the status quo in SC service, highlighting service gaps, and suggesting opportunities at organizational levels to reduce structural barriers.ImplicationsVariations in SC services exist in designated cancer centers. The data from this study can be used to inform a real-time health systems approach for SC services in oncology settings. Developing tailored SC services and interventions that are patient-centered and informed by their experiences is required. The data in this study suggest developing specialist education and training to upskill HCPs for equitable engagement if we are to meet EU and Cancer Moonshot goals for cancer reduction.
Project description:BackgroundThe Conversation, Understand, Replace, Experts and evidence-based treatment (CURE) project aims to provide a comprehensive offer of both pharmacotherapy and specialist support for tobacco dependence to all smokers admitted to hospital and after discharge. CURE was recently piloted within a single trust in Greater Manchester, with preliminary evidence suggesting this intervention may be successful in improving patient outcomes. Plans are currently underway to pilot a model based upon CURE in other sites across England. To inform implementation, we conducted a qualitative study, which aimed to identify factors influencing healthcare professionals' implementation behaviour within the pilot site.MethodsIndividual, semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 10 purposively sampled health professionals involved in the delivery and implementation of the CURE project pilot. Topic guides were informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Transcripts were analysed in line with the framework method, with data coded to TDF domains to highlight important areas of influence and then mapped to the COM-B to support future intervention development.ResultsEight TDF domains were identified as important areas influencing CURE implementation; 'environmental context and resources' (physical opportunity), 'social influence' (social opportunity), 'goals', 'professional role and identity' and 'beliefs about consequences' (reflective motivation), 'reinforcement' (automatic motivation), 'skills' and 'knowledge' (psychological capability). Most domains had the potential to both hinder and/or facilitate implementation, with the exception of 'beliefs about consequences' and 'knowledge', which were highlighted as facilitators of CURE. Participants suggested that 'environmental context and resources' was the most important factor influencing implementation; with barriers most often related to challenges integrating into the wider healthcare context.ConclusionsThis qualitative study identified multi-level barriers and facilitators to CURE implementation. The use of theoretical frameworks allowed for the identification of domains known to influence behaviour change, and thus can be taken forward to develop targeted interventions to support future service implementation. Future work should focus on discussing these findings with a broad range of stakeholders, to ensure resultant intervention strategies are feasible and practicable within a healthcare context. These findings complement wider evaluative work to support nationwide roll out of NHS funded tobacco dependence treatment services in acute care trusts.
Project description:Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is associated with an increased risk of many diseases. Many countries have ratified a national smoking ban in public places, but studies on factors related to smoking issues in public places post-ban are lacking. Aim: To identify facilitators and barriers that influenced smokers' compliance with smoking bans in public places. Methods: Using PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Web of Science database, we conducted a systematic search of English articles published before June 2015 on factors of smokers' compliance with the smoking bans in public places. Results: A total of 390 references were identified, among which seventeen articles (twelve quantitative studies, two qualitative studies, three mixed-method studies) were included in this review. These studies focused on four types of public places including recreational venues (n = 7), hospital (n = 5), school (n = 4), and workplace (n = 1). Factors at the individual-, interpersonal-, and organizational-level were identified: at the individual level, nicotine dependence, insufficiency of tobacco-related knowledge, and the negative attitudes towards smoking bans were the most commonly identified barriers; at the interpersonal level, the smoking behaviors of people around, close relatives, and friends' approval were the main barriers; and at the organizational level, the main barriers were inefficient implementation of the bans and the inconvenience of the designative smoking areas. Conclusions: This synthesis of the literature provided evidence of the identified barriers and facilitators of smokers' compliance with the smoking bans. It will be beneficial for the policy-maker to consider interventions on multiple levels of factors to overcome the barriers and enhance smokers' compliance with the smoking bans in public places.
Project description:IntroductionEmbedded smoking cessation support within lung cancer screening is recommended in the United Kingdom; however, little is known about why individuals decline smoking cessation support in this setting. This study identified psychosocial factors that influence smoking cessation and quit motivation among those who declined support for quitting smoking alongside lung cancer screening.Aims and methodsQualitative interviews were conducted between August 2019 and April 2021 with 30 adults with a smoking history, recruited from the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial. Participants had declined smoking cessation support. Verbatim interview transcripts were thematically analyzed.ResultsFifty percent of participants were male and the majority were from the most deprived groups. Participants reported low motivation and a variety of barriers to stopping smoking. Participants described modifiable behavioral factors that influenced their quit motivation including self-efficacy, perceived effectiveness of stop-smoking services including smoking cessation aids, risk-minimizing beliefs, lack of social support, absence of positive influences on smoking, and beliefs about smoking/smoking cessation. Broader contextual factors included social isolation and stigma, coronavirus disease 2019, and comorbid mental and physical health conditions that deterred smoking cessation.ConclusionsTo encourage engagement in smoking cessation support during lung cancer screening, interventions should seek to encourage positive beliefs about the effectiveness of smoking cessation aids and increase confidence in quitting as part of supportive, person-centered care. Interventions should also acknowledge the wider social determinants of health among the lung screening-eligible population.ImplicationsThis study provides an in-depth understanding of the beliefs surrounding smoking and smoking cessation and further potential psychosocial factors that influence those attending lung cancer screening. Many of the barriers to smoking cessation found in the present study are similar to those outside of a lung screening setting however this work offers an understanding of potential facilitators that should be considered in future lung screening programs.
Project description:Smoking during pregnancy is a leading cause of negative pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. While UK guidelines recommend nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation during pregnancy, adherence to NRT is generally low and may partially explain why NRT appears less effective in pregnancy compared to non-pregnant smokers. This study aimed to identify and describe factors associated with NRT adherence from a health professional's perspective. Two focus groups and one expert group were conducted with 26 professionals involved in antenatal stop smoking services and the data were analysed thematically using a template methodology. From our analyses, we extracted two main themes: (i) 'Barriers to NRT use in pregnancy' explores the issues of how misinformation and unrealistic expectations could discourage NRT use, while (ii) 'Facilitators to NRT use in pregnancy' describes the different information, and modes of delivery, that stop smoking professionals believe will encourage correct and sustained NRT use. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to improve NRT adherence may aid the development of educational interventions to encourage NRT use and improve outcomes for pregnant women wanting to stop smoking.
Project description:IntroductionQuitting tobacco smoking is associated with improvements in mental health, including reductions in depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to successful cessation among tobacco using patients with concomitant mental illness undergoing a group tobacco cessation intervention program in Kenya.MethodsThis was a qualitative study embedded in a group behavioral tobacco cessation intervention trial in Nairobi, Kenya. Data were collected between March 2017 and August 2019. Group behavioral tobacco cessation meetings were held bimonthly for the first 3 months and monthly for the next 3 months for each intervention group. Field notes of group discussions were used to identify key themes using an inductive approach. Data were transcribed, coded, analyzed, interpreted and categorized by two team members.ResultsA purposive sample of 49 tobacco-using patients with concomitant mental illness participated in 5 focus groups. Mean (SD) age was 33.4 (6) years, 22.4% were women, 98% smoked cigarettes, and mean (SD) Fagerström score was 5.9 (1.5). Barriers experienced included: 1) peer influence, 2) withdrawal symptoms, 3) fear of complete cessation, 4) other substance use, and 5) end-of-month disputes. Facilitators used by participants included: 1) oral stimulation, and 2) spousal and friend support.ConclusionsTobacco users with concomitant mental illness face important barriers when trying to quit. Thus, more frequent and intensive tobacco cessation interventions may be needed, including supplementary group behavioral counseling by telephonic follow-up or online group sessions.
Project description:BackgroundSmoking is related to many diseases, and the relapse to smoking after cessation in China is noticeable. We examined the attitudes of Chinese male smokers regarding smoking cessation and reasons for relapse.MethodsWe interviewed 201 male smokers in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang province, China who had tried to quit smoking at least once in order to identify reasons for quitting and situations triggering relapse.ResultsThe most significant reported reasons for quitting included personal health (77.1%), the cost of cigarettes (53.7%), and family pressures to quit (29.9%). The most common factors triggering relapse were social situations (34.3%), feeling negative or down (13.4%) and times of being alone (8.4%).ConclusionHealth and family concerns, personal factors, the influence of others and a lack of cessation resources were cited as salient factors concerning smoking cessation among male smokers in this study. Effective smoking control efforts in China will require attention to these influences if China is to curb its current smoking epidemic.
Project description:IntroductionTobacco use is a serious public health problem among low-income Chinese Americans with limited English proficiency. Chinese men are at high risk for smoking-related morbidity and mortality. We tested the feasibility of a culturally and linguistically sensitive smoking intervention program with combined counseling and pharmacological components for Chinese smokers in New York City; identified factors and techniques that enhance the administration and appropriateness of the intervention program; and examined the overall impact of this program on quit attempts, quit rates, and overall smoking reduction.MethodsWe were guided by the transtheoretical model and used an adapted motivational interviewing (MI) approach. The study involved a randomized sample with pretreatment assessment and multiple follow-up measures. Eligible participants (N = 122) were randomly assigned to intervention (4 individualized counselor-led MI sessions and nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]) or control groups (4 general health education sessions, self-help materials, and NRT).ResultsQuit rate at 6 months in the intervention group was 67% versus 32% for the control group, indicating minimal relapse and a highly successful intervention program. Increase in self-efficacy and decease in pros of smoking from baseline to 6-month follow-up were positively associated with smoking cessation. The number of cigarette smoked at baseline was inversely related to smoking cessation. Results indicate that a combined intensive behavioral counseling and pharmacological intervention can reduce smoking substantially.ConclusionThe results of this pilot will be used as a basis for a large-scale randomized trial of an intervention with combined culturally and linguistically sensitive MI and NRT components for Chinese and other Asian ethnic groups.