User Characteristics of a Free Tobacco Cessation Smartphone App: An Observational Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Fradkin ◽  
Susan M Zbikowski ◽  
Trevor Christensen
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Rural Counties

BACKGROUND Tobacco use continues to be the leading preventable cause of death, disease, and disability. Cessation options have been available direct-to-consumer and through employers, health plans, and publicly sponsored programs such as those offered by states. State-sponsored efforts have included tobacco control policies, public awareness campaigns, and tobacco quitlines. Washington state has been offering quitline services since 2000, and in 2015, the state began offering free access to a smartphone app to absorb excess quitline demand and reach more people with cessation services. Since most publicly funded tobacco cessation programs are designed to provide access to underserved communities and groups disproportionately impacted by tobacco use, effectiveness and reach are both important considerations for these public health interventions. This paper aims to add to this literature. OBJECTIVE To understand who used a free cessation app and the extent to which users represented at-risk and underrepresented populations. METHODS An observational study of 1,280 adult Washington state residents who registered for and activated the cessation app between October 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. Demographic data were collected as part of sign-up, examined using standard descriptive measures, and assessed against state-level surveillance data for representativeness. RESULTS Participants were primarily non-Hispanic white (80.3%), identified as female (63.1%), were between ages 25-54 (76.1%), had at least some college education (68.4%), and reported a household income under $50,000 (70.3%). A minority of respondents were from rural counties (29.4%), identified as LGBQA (12.5%), were uninsured (12.2%), or were currently pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding (6.7%). There was high representation of women, 35-54 year-olds, LGBQA individuals, and college graduates, as well as individuals with low household income, poor mental health, Medicaid insurance, and residences in rural counties. CONCLUSIONS A diverse population of tobacco users will use a free cessation app. Individuals who used the app in this study largely represent the demographic groups most at risk for cigarette smoking and associated premature disease and death. This may have implications for health equity.

scholarly journals Health workers’ perceptions on where and how to integrate tobacco use cessation services into tuberculosis treatment; a qualitative exploratory study in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizeus Rutebemberwa ◽  
Kellen Nyamurungi ◽  
Surabhi Joshi ◽  
Yvonne Olando ◽  
Hadii M. Mamudu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Tobacco Use Cessation ◽  
Tb Treatment

Abstract Background Tobacco use is associated with exacerbation of tuberculosis (TB) and poor TB treatment outcomes. Integrating tobacco use cessation within TB treatment could improve healing among TB patients. The aim was to explore perceptions of health workers on where and how to integrate tobacco use cessation services into TB treatment programs in Uganda. Methods Between March and April 2019, nine focus group discussions (FGDs) and eight key informant interviews were conducted among health workers attending to patients with tuberculosis on a routine basis in nine facilities from the central, eastern, northern and western parts of Uganda. These facilities were high volume health centres, general hospitals and referral hospitals. The FGD sessions and interviews were tape recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis and the Chronic Care Model as a framework. Results Respondents highlighted that just like TB prevention starts in the community and TB treatment goes beyond health facility stay, integration of tobacco cessation should be started when people are still healthy and extended to those who have been healed as they go back to communities. There was need to coordinate with different organizations like peers, the media and TB treatment supporters. TB patients needed regular follow up and self-management support for both TB and tobacco cessation. Patients needed to be empowered to know their condition and their caretakers needed to be involved. Effective referral between primary health facilities and specialist facilities was needed. Clinical information systems should identify relevant people for proactive care and follow up. In order to achieve effective integration, the health system needed to be strengthened especially health worker training and provision of more space in some of the facilities. Conclusions Tobacco cessation activities should be provided in a continuum starting in the community before the TB patients get to hospital, during the patients’ interface with hospital treatment and be given in the community after TB patients have been discharged. This requires collaboration between those who carry out health education in communities, the TB treatment supporters and the health workers who treat patients in health facilities.

scholarly journals Estimating time to reinjury among Washington State injured workers by degree of permanent impairment: Using state wage data to adjust for time at risk

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-25
Author(s):  
Jeanne M. Sears ◽  
Beryl A. Schulman ◽  
Deborah Fulton‐Kehoe ◽  
Sheilah Hogg‐Johnson
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Washington State ◽  
Injured Workers

scholarly journals Tobacco intervention research in low- and middle-income countries: lessons learned and future directions

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth D. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Control ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Tobacco Dependence ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Tobacco Intervention

Treating tobacco dependence is paramount for global tobacco control efforts, but is often overshadowed by other policy priorities. As stated by Jha (2009), “cessation by current smokers is the only practical way to avoid a substantial proportion of tobacco deaths worldwide before 2050.” Its importance is codified in Article 14 of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), and in the WHO's MPOWER package of effective country-level policies. Unfortunately, only 15% of the world's population have access to appropriate cessation support (WHO, 2015). Moreover, parties to the FCTC have implemented only 51% of the indicators within Article 14, on average, which is far lower than many other articles (WHO, 2014). Further, commenting on the use of “O” measures (Offer help to quit tobacco use) in the MPOWER acronym, WHO recently concluded, “while there has been improvement in implementing comprehensive tobacco cessation services, this is nonetheless a most under-implemented MPOWER measure in terms of the number of countries that have fully implemented it” (WHO, 2015). To the detriment of global tobacco control efforts, only one in eight countries provides comprehensive cost-covered services, only one in four provide some cost coverage for nicotine replacement therapy, and fewer than one third provide a toll-free quit line (WHO, 2015).

scholarly journals An Interdisciplinary Response to a Tobacco Cessation Case Vignette

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-164
Author(s):  
Chad D. Morris ◽  
Donna L. Richardson ◽  
Jill M. Loewen ◽  
Laura C. Vanheest ◽  
Angela Brumley-Shelton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Chronic Illnesses ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Case Vignette ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Tobacco Treatment ◽  
Complex Care Needs

Introduction:Tobacco use is a chronic, relapsing condition. While there are proven cessation medications and counselling treatments, uptake of available aids is poor and smokers often do not have access to evidence-based services.Aims:The Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence (ATTUD) is an organisation of tobacco treatment specialists (TTSs) representing a wide array of disciplines and healthcare settings. This case vignette was intended to provide a clinical example of an interdisciplinary approach to tobacco use treatment.Methods:ATTUD Interdisciplinary Committee members representing tobacco-cessation experts from five professions were asked to respond to the same composite case vignette detailing key areas of clinical consideration and treatment.Results/Findings:While there were common treatment themes across professions, each provider also offered a unique treatment perspective addressing different facets of the patient's complex care needs, including attention to other chronic illnesses, mental illnesses, and preventive services. Expert responses highlighted that different treatment approaches across a continuum of healthcare settings are complementary.Conclusions:Responses to this vignette support the need to address tobacco use from an interdisciplinary approach. Existing chronic care and patient-centred models should be utilised to ensure that tobacco users receive a sufficient range of cessation services.

scholarly journals Pain Trajectories Identify Patients at Risk of Persistent Pain After Knee Arthroplasty: An Observational Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 472 (5) ◽  
pp. 1409-1415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia M. Lavand’homme ◽  
Irina Grosu ◽  
Marie-Noëlle France ◽  
Emmanuel Thienpont
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Persistent Pain ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Pain Trajectories

scholarly journals A Collaborative Model for Facilitating the Delivery of Smoking Cessation Treatments to Cancer Patients: Results From Three Oncology Practices in South Carolina

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-124
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kilpatrick ◽  
Kathleen B. Cartmell ◽  
Abdoulaye Diedhiou ◽  
K. Michael Cummings ◽  
Graham W. Warren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Collaborative Learning ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Dissemination And Implementation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Cancer Centers

Introduction: Continued smoking by cancer patients causes adverse cancer treatment outcomes, but few patients receive evidence-based smoking cessation as a standard of care.Aim: To evaluate practical strategies to promote wide-scale dissemination and implementation of evidence-based tobacco cessation services within state cancer centers.Methods: A Collaborative Learning Model (CLM) for Quality Improvement was evaluated with three community oncology practices to identify barriers and facilitate practice change to deliver evidence-based smoking cessation treatments to cancer patients using standardized assessments and referrals to statewide smoking cessation resources. Patients were enrolled and tracked through an automated data system and received follow-up cessation support post-enrollment. Monthly quantitative reports and qualitative data gathered through interviews and collaborative learning sessions were used to evaluate meaningful quality improvement changes in each cancer center.Results: Baseline practice evaluation for the CLM identified the lack of tobacco use documentation, awareness of cessation guidelines, and awareness of services for patients as common barriers. Implementation of a structured assessment and referral process demonstrated that of 1,632 newly registered cancer patients,1,581 (97%) were screened for tobacco use. Among those screened, 283 (18%) were found to be tobacco users. Of identified tobacco users, 207 (73%) were advised to quit. Referral of new patients who reported using tobacco to an evidence-based cessation program increased from 0% at baseline across all three cancer centers to 64% (range = 30%–89%) during the project period.Conclusions: Implementation of quality improvement learning collaborative models can dramatically improve delivery of guideline-based tobacco cessation treatments to cancer patients.

scholarly journals The extent of formal tobacco cessation training received by student health professionals and the prevalence of tobacco use among them: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Ashwaghosha Parthasarathi ◽  
Raj Kumar ◽  
Krishna Undela ◽  
Jayaraj Biligere Siddaiah ◽  
Padukudru Anand Mahesh
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Formal Training ◽  
Tobacco Prevention ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Total Prevalence

Background: Advice from health care professionals (HCPs) is critical for tobacco prevention and cessation efforts. The academic curricula for health care professional students (HCS) lack comprehensive training in assisting patients in tobacco cessation. Tobacco use among HCP’s deters them from giving proper tobacco prevention and cessation guidance. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of tobacco consumption in third-year students of four health care disciplines (medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing) and to assess their undergraduate education on tobacco control and cessation. Methods:  A web-based survey (response rate 84.4%) employing the Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) questionnaire; n= 838; [20.89 (SD± 0.94) years] was conducted in Mysore, India. A descriptive, comparative and multivariate analysis was performed. Results: The number of students who received formal training in smoking cessation approaches was only 14.04%. In total, two-thirds of medical students, compared to 38.9% of dental, 29.7% of pharmacy, and 11.40 % of nursing students, learned “the reasons why people smoke” as a part of their formal training. However, only less than a quarter of the study population were aware of the role of antidepressants in nicotine cessation medications. The total prevalence of tobacco use was 28.9%. A total of 37.72% wanted to quit smoking, while a mere 1.2% had sought any professional help to do so. Conclusions: Tobacco use in HCS, apart from personal health risks to themselves, may potentially affect their future commitment to support patients in tobacco cessation. There is a need for further research into tobacco prevention and cessation programs tailored to the needs of student groups. There is a need for an updated curriculum for tobacco cessation strategies and more research into better cessation strategies.

scholarly journals Evidence for the Fidelity and Effectiveness of Living Independent From Tobacco for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 1179173X1882507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan M Havercamp ◽  
Wesley R Barnhart ◽  
David Ellsworth ◽  
Erica Coleman ◽  
Allison Lorenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
The People ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

People with disabilities (PWD) are more likely to use tobacco and less likely to access tobacco cessation programs compared with people without disabilities. Living Independent From Tobacco (LIFT), an evidence-based intervention designed for PWD, was piloted with dyads of PWD (n = 5) and their caregivers (n = 7). As an important source of practical and social support for PWD, caregivers also impact health-related attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors of PWD. Caregivers who smoke may unwittingly interfere with cessation efforts of the people they support. We found that LIFT could be offered to dyads of PWD and their caregivers with fidelity. The intervention was associated with increased use of coping strategies and self-efficacy to reduce smoking. Tobacco use decreased at post-test (−34.94%), with further reduction 6-months after the intervention (−50.60%). Implications for offering inclusive health promotion interventions to both PWD and their caregivers are discussed.

Tobacco and Lung Cancer: Risks, Trends, and Outcomes in Patients with Cancer

2013 ◽  
pp. 359-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham W. Warren ◽  
K. Michael Cummings
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Cancer Mortality ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Lung Cancer Screening ◽  
Lung Cancer Mortality ◽  
Second Primary ◽  
Cancer Risks ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk

Tobacco use, primarily associated with cigarette smoking, is the largest preventable cause of cancer mortality, responsible for approximately one-third of all cancer deaths. Approximately 85% of lung cancers result from smoking, with an additional fraction caused by secondhand smoke exposure in nonsmokers. The risk of lung cancer is dose dependent, but can be dramatically reduced with tobacco cessation, especially if the person discontinues smoking early in life. The increase in lung cancer incidence in different countries around in the world parallels changes in cigarette consumption. Lung cancer risks are not reduced by switching to filters or low-tar/low-nicotine cigarettes. In patients with cancer, continued tobacco use after diagnosis is associated with poor therapeutic outcomes including increased treatment-related toxicity, increased risk of second primary cancer, decreased quality of life, and decreased survival. Tobacco cessation in patients with cancer may improve cancer treatment outcomes, but cessation support is often not provided by oncologists. Reducing the health related effects of tobacco requires coordinated efforts to reduce exposure to tobacco, accurately assess tobacco use in clinical settings, and increase access to tobacco cessation support. Lung cancer screening and coordinated international tobacco control efforts offer the promise to dramatically reduce lung cancer mortality in the coming decades.

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