An internet-based smoking cessation program for Korean Americans: results from a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Smoking cessation is a significant public health issue, particularly among Korean Americans (KAs).
• A community-driven approach led to the development of "Quitting is Winning," an online self-help smoking cessation program tailored for KAs who prefer independent quitting methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an online cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation program for Korean Americans.
• To compare the effectiveness of an Internet-based intervention against a similar program delivered via booklet.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 1,112 participants enrolled between September 2005 and April 2009.
• The primary outcome was 30-day smoking cessation at 50 weeks post-enrollment.
• Eleven online surveys were administered every five weeks to track progress.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in 30-day smoking cessation was observed between the Internet intervention (11%) and the booklet group (13%) at 50 weeks (intent-to-treat analysis).
• Post-hoc analysis revealed significantly higher quit rates (26%) among participants who completed the online program compared to those who did not (10%).

Conclusions:

• The online self-help smoking cessation program shows potential for aiding Korean American smokers, especially when engagement is achieved.
• Online cessation programs offer a promising avenue to reach individuals who may not engage with traditional smoking cessation interventions.