An mHealth intervention to prevent postnatal smoking relapse: The RESPREMO study protocol

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Postpartum smoking relapse affects up to 70% of women, often within three months after birth.
• Mobile technologies offer a scalable platform for low-cost interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the protocol for the RESPREMO clinical trial, evaluating a mobile health (mHealth) intervention for postnatal smoking relapse prevention.
• To assess the effectiveness of the xSmoker app and supplementary text messages in preventing relapse among women and their partners.

Main Methods:

• The RESPREMO trial randomized 75 couples in Romania into three groups: xSmoker app only, xSmoker app plus text messages, or a control group.
• Data collected included app engagement metrics such as duration of use, feature utilization, and acceptance of challenges and tips.

Main Results:

• Engagement with the xSmoker app was measured through various metrics.
• The study protocol is designed to provide insights into the effectiveness of mHealth interventions for smoking cessation.

Conclusions:

• The RESPREMO trial's findings are expected to inform sustainable strategies for preventing postnatal smoking relapse.
• The study has broader implications for designing mHealth interventions in reproductive and maternal health.