Testing the combination of mobile health interventions for smoking cessation services uptake and smoking cessation: a factorial randomized trial in Thailand

Aim and objectives: This research aims to improve uptake of the Thailand National Quitline (TNQ) smoking cessation service and smoking cessation rates among Thai smokers. The objective of this study is to test whether text messages improves uptake of TNQ smoking cessation service and smoking cessation rates and to test which combination of text messages are most effective. Design: A full factorial individually randomised study, considering two levels (present/absent) of three components (capability to quit/opportunity to support smoking cessation/motivation to quit). Participants and investigators will be blinded to treatment allocation. Inclusion criteria: (1) Thai smokers who received a single brief counselling session for smoking cessation from the TNQ and (2) did not set a quit date within one month, (3) own a mobile phone with at least the ability to send and receive SMS text messages, and (4) be able to read and write Thai. Technology: Participants will receive one of the following text messages through their mobile phone twice a day for 30 days: 1) messages thanking participants for being part of project (contain no behaviour change); 2) messages aimed at increasing smokers’ capability to quit; 3) messages aimed at increasing opportunity to support smoking cessation; 4) messages aimed at increasing motivation to quit; 5) messages aimed at increasing smokers’ capability to quit and opportunity to support smoking cessation; 6) messages aimed at increasing smokers’ capability to quit and motivation to quit; 7) messages aimed at increasing opportunity to support smoking cessation and motivation to quit; and 8) messages aimed at all behavioural components. Outcomes: The primary outcome of this study is self-report 7-day abstinence at 1-month follow-up. The secondary outcomes include 1) self-reporting of setting quit date at 1-month and 6-month follow-up, 2) self-reporting 7-day abstinence at 6-month follow-up with verification using expired air carbon monoxide (CO), and 3) the difference in behaviour to support smoking cessation (i.e. capability to quit, opportunity to support quitting, and motivation to quit) from baseline at 1-month and 6-month follow-up.   PhD supervisor team: Dr. Liz Glidewell, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds Dr. Rebecca Walwyn, Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds Professor Jeremy C. Wyatt, Wessex Institute of Health & Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton   Project adviser: Associate professor Dr. Jintana Yunibhand, Thailand National Quitline (TNQ) Assistant professor Dr. Aronrag Meeyai, Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center (TRC)