Effectiveness of a tobacco quitline in an indigenous population: a comparison between Alaska Native people and other first-time quitline callers who set a quit date

Abstract

Objectives. To conduct a descriptive, comparative study of the acceptability and effectiveness of a tobacco cessation quitline (QL) among Alaska Native people and non-Alaska Native people.Study design. From January 2006 to January 2007, we conducted telephone surveys of first-time Alaska QL callers who set a quit date. We attempted to reach them by phone about 3 months after their call to the QL.Methods. Analyses compared 7-day point prevalence quit rates, satisfaction measures, experiences and general perceptions of QLs by Alaska Native and non-Alaska Native callers.Results. We surveyed 39.8% (n=772) of the 1,941 adult tobacco users we attempted to contact. The 7-day point prevalence quit rate among Alaska Native survey participants at the 3-month follow-up was 22.2% (CI: 14.8% –32.0%), compared to 40.7% (CI: 36.7% –44.9%) for non-Alaska Native survey participants. Eighty-three percent (CI: 74.6% –89.3%) were somewhat/very satisfied overall with the QL program compared to 90.3% (CI: 87.6% –92.4%) for non-Alaska Native participants.Conclusions. Although the QL was less effective for Alaska Native callers than other QL callers, Alaska Native peoples’ quit rates and satisfaction were still quite good. Despite this, more effort should be made to address specific Alaska Native values and social and cultural barriers to quitting tobacco.