Changes in the reach of a smoking cessation program in Ontario, Canada, during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Given the harms associated with tobacco use, continuing the provision of smoking cessation treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic is critical. The aim of this study was to examine pandemic-related changes in enrolment, total treatment use and participant characteristics in a large, publicly funded smoking cessation program in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

We conducted a secondary data analysis of patients who enrolled in the program between Jan. 1, 2018, and Dec. 7, 2020. We used descriptive statistics to examine changes in treatment use. To test for differences in sociodemographic and health variables, we used segmented mixed-effects regression with a break point on Mar. 17, 2020, when Ontario declared a state of emergency. We tested 25 variables, using Holm's correct

SUBMITTER: Minian N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8526090 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature