Effectiveness of Text Messaging in Encouraging Smoking Cessation among Non-Communicable Disease Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

To assess the impact of a text-messaging intervention on smoking cessation among patients with non-communicable diseases. A total of 200 participants were randomly assigned to either a text-messaging intervention group or a control group. The 7-day point prevalence of smoking cessation and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 18 weeks. Mixed linear regression was employed to examine the interaction effect of exhaled CO between the intervention group and follow-up time. The 7-day point prevalence of smoking cessation increased by 16.16% (95% CI: 10.98, 21.33) at the 6-week follow-up and by 15.46% (95% CI: 10.68, 21.33) at the 18-week follow-up. In the intervention group, exhaled CO was significantly lower compared to the control group at 6 weeks (mean difference: -5.79; 95% CI: -7.26, -4.32) and at 18 weeks (mean difference: -4.19; 95% CI: -5.67, -2.71). The text-messaging intervention proved effective in increasing the prevalence of smoking cessation and reducing carbon monoxide levels among non-communicable disease patients.