Text Messaging Intervention for Young Smokers Experiencing Homelessness: Lessons Learned From a Randomized Controlled
Sebastian Linnemayr1, Rushil Zutshi1, William Shadel2
1RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, United States.
JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth
|April 1, 2021
Summary
A text messaging intervention (TMI) proved feasible and acceptable for supporting smoking cessation among homeless youth. Future interventions should leverage smartphone ownership and incorporate remote group interaction for this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Digital Health
Background:
- Smoking rates are disproportionately high among homeless youth.
- This population faces significant barriers to smoking cessation due to limited access to tailored resources.
- Group-based support is valued, but in-person attendance can be challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an automated text messaging intervention (TMI) as a supplement to group cessation counseling for homeless youth.
- To identify lessons learned from implementing a TMI for smoking cessation in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 77 homeless youth (aged 18-25) interested in quitting smoking.
- Participants received group cessation counseling and nicotine patches; 52% also received 6 weeks of TMI via their own phones.
- Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through surveys and messaging platform data.
Main Results:
- Despite challenges like phone number changes, the TMI demonstrated a high message delivery rate (~95%).
- The intervention was generally well-received, with over 70% approval for most text message components.
- Participants appreciated group counseling and suggested incorporating more group elements remotely.
Conclusions:
- Automated text messaging interventions are feasible and acceptable for supporting smoking cessation in homeless youth.
- Future digital health interventions should utilize widespread smartphone ownership and explore remote group interaction methods.
- Phone-based interventions offer a promising avenue for delivering smoking cessation support to homeless youth, especially given current public health exigencies.
