Text2Quit: An analysis of user experiences with a mobile smoking cessation program.

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Mobile cessation programs, such as Text2Quit, demonstrate efficacy in increasing quit rates among adult smokers.
• However, the underlying mechanisms of action and detailed user experiences remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate participants' subjective experiences with a mobile smoking cessation program.
• To identify specific program features that were well-received or problematic by users.

Main Methods:

• A follow-up survey was administered one month post-enrollment to 185 participants.
• Open-ended survey responses were analyzed using dual coding by independent researchers.

Main Results:

• Participants reported positive overall experiences, rating the program highly for likeability (4.2/5), helpfulness (4.1/5), and recommendability (4.3/5).
• Key positive aspects included constant reminders, engaging content, encouragement, and on-demand tools.
• Primary criticisms involved message frequency, content relevance, and a perceived lack of personal interaction.

Conclusions:

• The dual nature of messaging (reminder vs. annoyance) highlights the need for personalized frequency.
• Future mobile cessation interventions could be enhanced by pre-testing content, tailoring it to user preferences, and integrating human interaction while maintaining supportive elements and on-demand resources.