| Summary: | Introduction
Smoking cessation quitlines are evidence-based, cost-effective method for smoking cessation. 1-4 Starting in 2021, Armenia launched a national quitline. We aimed to evaluate the quitline services from the perspective of the users to understand their quitting experience, feedback, and recommendations.
Material and Methods
We conducted a qualitative study among quitline users recruited through purposive convenience sampling and snowball techniques, ensuring the participation of both successful and unsuccessful quitters. In total, six in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted over the phone. Deductive thematic analysis was done using pre-defined themes named quitline service features, smoking cessation process, and recommendations.
Results
Overall, the majority of the participants expressed their satisfaction with the quitline's service features. They valued the services provided by the consultant, saying that those helped them to quit even after past unsuccessful attempts. Additionally, the anonymity of the calls strengthened the trust in the quitline and motivated them to complete the course. During the cessation process, the participants provided their positive feedback regarding the number and duration of calls, the follow-up calls, and education on behavioral tips for managing cravings. Lastly, the network of successful quitters, which served as a channel for getting aware of and joining the quitline, as per the participants, indicates the strength of the overall services. However, they also highlighted the need for more active advertisements among the general public to further promote the quitline in Armenia.
Conclusions
Targeted awareness-raising activities are needed to promote the quitline, increase its reach, and enhance its impact throughout Armenia. Continued evaluation and monitoring of the service is required involving broader stakeholders (administrators and policymakers) to get feedback and suggestions for improvement of quitline service in Armenia.
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