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Smoking cessation support by text message during pregnancy: a qualitative study of views and experiences of the MiQuit intervention

Sloan, Melanie; Hopewell, Sarah; Coleman, Tim; Cooper, Sue; Naughton, Felix

Authors

Melanie Sloan

Sarah Hopewell

TIM COLEMAN tim.coleman@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Primary Care

Sue Cooper

Felix Naughton



Abstract

Introduction: SMS text messaging is increasingly used for delivering smoking cessation support and pilot studies suggest this may also be useful in pregnancy. This study explores the views of women who received a tailored text messaging cessation intervention (MiQuit) during pregnancy, focusing on acceptability, perceived impact, and suggestions for improvements.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 purposively sampled women who had received the MiQuit intervention during pregnancy as part of a randomized controlled trial. Data were analyzed thematically.

Results: Three main themes were identified: “impact”, “approach,” and “optimization.” Participants described an immediate, yet often short-lived, impact from the texts that distracted and delayed them from smoking and they perceived that texts focusing on the development of and risk to the baby generated more enduring emotional impacts. Most women found receiving support by text preferable to face-to-face cessation support, with participants citing the greater regularity, convenience, and non-judgmental style as particular advantages. Participants would have preferred a longer support program with increased tailoring, greater customization of text timings and consideration of cutting down as an alternative/precursor to quitting.

Conclusion: Pregnancy-specific cessation support by text message was well received and participants considered the support increased their motivation to stop smoking. The focus on the developing baby, the regularity of contact and the provision of gentle, encouraging messages were highlighted as particularly important elements of the program.

Implications: This study adds further evidence to the acceptability and perceived positive impact of text-messaging programs in aiding smoking cessation in pregnancy. The findings indicate that for some women, this type of support is preferable to face-to-face methods and could be utilized by health professionals, either in addition to current methods or as an alternative. This study is also relevant to researchers developing health-related text programs to consider participants’ desire for greater tailoring. Further research is required into adapting and continuing text support for women postpartum.

Citation

Sloan, M., Hopewell, S., Coleman, T., Cooper, S., & Naughton, F. (2017). Smoking cessation support by text message during pregnancy: a qualitative study of views and experiences of the MiQuit intervention. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 19(5), https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntw241

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 22, 2016
Online Publication Date Apr 11, 2017
Publication Date May 1, 2017
Deposit Date May 2, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research
Print ISSN 1462-2203
Electronic ISSN 1469-994X
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 19
Issue 5
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntw241
Keywords Pregnancy; Smoking; Smoking cessation; Emotion; Infant; Postpartum period; Qualitative research; Text messaging; Self-mutilation by cutting
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/858940
Publisher URL https://academic.oup.com/ntr/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/ntr/ntw241
Related Public URLs https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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