Attitudes Towards SMS Text Message Smoking Cessation Support: A Qualitative Study of Pregnant Smoker

Naughton F, Jamison J, Sutton S. Health Educ Res. 2013 May 2. [Epub ahead of print]

This study examined the attitudes of women who currently or previously smoked while pregnant toward receiving pregnancy-related smoking cessation support by text message. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 33 women, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results showed that texting was regarded as a highly convenient mode of support delivery leading to high levels of attention to messages. While those who did not receive text messages had high expectations for real-time intervention with smoking behaviors, those who did receive text messages found them to be helpful, despite the lack of a real-time intervention element. Respondents also highlighted the impact of perceived source, including personalization and personal relevance of messages. The authors conclude that maximizing personalization and personal relevance can increase the value of text message support and reduce the risk of disengagement.