Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through Facebook
Introduction While promising evidence from trials of social-media-based stop smoking support informs service-planning, there is a need for more prospective, observational studies of smoking cessation interventions to build ‘real-world’ evidence. Specifically, user experiences have been under-explore...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Prevention and Cessation |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Mixed-methods-evaluation-of-the-real-world-implementation-of-group-based-behavioral,149910,0,2.html |
| _version_ | 1811179604705017856 |
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| author | Laura Heavey Rachel Wright Muiriosa Ryan Edward Murphy Martina Blake Ben Cloney Paul Kavanagh Frank Doyle |
| author_facet | Laura Heavey Rachel Wright Muiriosa Ryan Edward Murphy Martina Blake Ben Cloney Paul Kavanagh Frank Doyle |
| author_sort | Laura Heavey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction
While promising evidence from trials of social-media-based stop
smoking support informs service-planning, there is a need for more prospective,
observational studies of smoking cessation interventions to build ‘real-world’
evidence. Specifically, user experiences have been under-explored with qualitative
methods to date. This mixed-method evaluation of a closed Facebook group-based
behavioral stop smoking support program, which was conducted in Ireland in 2018,
aimed to address these issues.
Methods
Pre- and post-program surveys measured smoking abstinence (selfreported
7-day point prevalence), changes in smoking attitudes and behavior,
and participant experiences. Engagement with Facebook was measured through
counting ‘likes’ and comments, and was used to categorize groups as ‘more active’
and ‘less active’ over a 12-week period of support. Thematic content analysis of
semi-structured participant interviews explored program experience in depth.
Results
In total, 13 of 52 participants reported smoking abstinence post-program
(25.0%, 95% CI: 14.0–39.0). Participant engagement with Facebook was variable
and decreased over the program. Membership of a ‘more active’ group was
associated with better reported participant experience (e.g. 90.9% agreeing
‘Facebook group helped me to quit or reduce smoking’, versus 33.3% in the ‘less
active’ group, p<0.05). Qualitative analysis identified three over-arching themes:
importance of social interactions; perception of health information; and appeal of
online support.
Conclusions
Facebook can be used to deliver group-based behavioral stop smoking
support in the real world. In Ireland, the one-month post-program abstinence
outcomes achieved by other stop smoking services is approximately 50%, and
while the outcomes for this service was lower (25%), it is still better than outcomes
estimated for unassisted quitting. Engagement and peer-to-peer interactivity
should be maximized to support positive participant experience. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:37:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a4e0c09494a49c6ab4fe8c134180834 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2459-3087 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:37:05Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | European Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tobacco Prevention and Cessation |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a4e0c09494a49c6ab4fe8c1341808342022-12-22T04:39:39ZengEuropean PublishingTobacco Prevention and Cessation2459-30872022-06-018June11110.18332/tpc/149910149910Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through FacebookLaura Heavey0Rachel Wright1Muiriosa Ryan2Edward Murphy3Martina Blake4Ben Cloney5Paul Kavanagh6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8576-2247Frank Doyle7https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3785-7433Department of Public Health Medicine, HSE Midlands, Tullamore, IrelandHSE Communications, Dublin, IrelandHSE Communications, Dublin, IrelandHSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, EET Hospital, Cork, IrelandHSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, Strategic Planning and Transformation, HSE Oak House, Nass, IrelandHSE Communications, Dublin, IrelandHSE Tobacco Free Ireland Programme, Strategic Planning and Transformation, HSE Oak House, Nass, IrelandRoyal College of Surgeons, Division of Population Health Sciences, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, IrelandIntroduction While promising evidence from trials of social-media-based stop smoking support informs service-planning, there is a need for more prospective, observational studies of smoking cessation interventions to build ‘real-world’ evidence. Specifically, user experiences have been under-explored with qualitative methods to date. This mixed-method evaluation of a closed Facebook group-based behavioral stop smoking support program, which was conducted in Ireland in 2018, aimed to address these issues. Methods Pre- and post-program surveys measured smoking abstinence (selfreported 7-day point prevalence), changes in smoking attitudes and behavior, and participant experiences. Engagement with Facebook was measured through counting ‘likes’ and comments, and was used to categorize groups as ‘more active’ and ‘less active’ over a 12-week period of support. Thematic content analysis of semi-structured participant interviews explored program experience in depth. Results In total, 13 of 52 participants reported smoking abstinence post-program (25.0%, 95% CI: 14.0–39.0). Participant engagement with Facebook was variable and decreased over the program. Membership of a ‘more active’ group was associated with better reported participant experience (e.g. 90.9% agreeing ‘Facebook group helped me to quit or reduce smoking’, versus 33.3% in the ‘less active’ group, p<0.05). Qualitative analysis identified three over-arching themes: importance of social interactions; perception of health information; and appeal of online support. Conclusions Facebook can be used to deliver group-based behavioral stop smoking support in the real world. In Ireland, the one-month post-program abstinence outcomes achieved by other stop smoking services is approximately 50%, and while the outcomes for this service was lower (25%), it is still better than outcomes estimated for unassisted quitting. Engagement and peer-to-peer interactivity should be maximized to support positive participant experience.http://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Mixed-methods-evaluation-of-the-real-world-implementation-of-group-based-behavioral,149910,0,2.htmlprogram evaluationtobaccouse disordersmoking cessationsocial mediainternet-basedinterventionreal-worldeffectiveness |
| spellingShingle | Laura Heavey Rachel Wright Muiriosa Ryan Edward Murphy Martina Blake Ben Cloney Paul Kavanagh Frank Doyle Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through Facebook Tobacco Prevention and Cessation program evaluation tobacco use disorder smoking cessation social media internet-based intervention real-world effectiveness |
| title | Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through Facebook |
| title_full | Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through Facebook |
| title_fullStr | Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through Facebook |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through Facebook |
| title_short | Mixed methods evaluation of the ‘real-world’ implementation of group-based behavioral stop smoking support through Facebook |
| title_sort | mixed methods evaluation of the real world implementation of group based behavioral stop smoking support through facebook |
| topic | program evaluation tobacco use disorder smoking cessation social media internet-based intervention real-world effectiveness |
| url | http://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Mixed-methods-evaluation-of-the-real-world-implementation-of-group-based-behavioral,149910,0,2.html |
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