Evaluation of a Community-based Quality Improvement Smoking Cessation Program Using the Ottawa Model During COVID-19

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Tobacco smoking is a leading cause of preventable death globally.
• Canada faces persistent regional disparities in smoking prevalence.
• The COVID-19 pandemic presented new challenges for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess smoking cessation outcomes in the Prince Edward Island Smoking Cessation Program (PEI SCP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To evaluate changes in nicotine dependence among participants.
• To understand the impact of the pandemic on program delivery and participant experience.

Main Methods:

• A pre-post study design evaluated the PEI SCP from 2019-2021.
• Participants completed baseline and 6-month follow-up surveys.
• Primary outcomes included 7-day and 30-day point-prevalence abstinence.

Main Results:

• Approximately 32.2% achieved 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at 6 months.
• Nicotine dependence significantly decreased, with low Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) increasing from 17.0% to 48.7%.
• Nearly 30% reported pandemic-related challenges, primarily stress and personal life issues.

Conclusions:

• The PEI SCP successfully supported smoking abstinence in about one-third of participants despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Evidence-based programs like the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC) are effective in community settings.
• The program demonstrated resilience in delivering services under constrained healthcare conditions.