Effectiveness of a mobile smoking cessation service in reaching elderly smokers and predictors of quitting

BMC Geriatr. 2008 Oct 6:8:25. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-8-25.

Abstract

Background: Different smoking cessation programmes have been developed in the last decade but utilization by the elderly is low. We evaluated a pilot mobile smoking cessation service for the Chinese elderly in Hong Kong and identified predictors of quitting.

Methods: The Mobile Smoking Cessation Programme (MSCP) targeted elderly smokers (aged 60 or above) and provided service in a place that was convenient to the elderly. Trained counsellors provided individual counselling and 4 week's free supply of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Follow up was arranged at 1 month by face-to-face and at 3 and 6 months by telephone plus urinary cotinine validation. A structured record sheet was used for data collection. The service was evaluated in terms of process, outcome and cost.

Results: 102 governmental and non-governmental social service units and private residential homes for the elderly participated in the MSCP. We held 90 health talks with 3266 elderly (1140 smokers and 2126 non-smokers) attended. Of the 1140 smokers, 365 (32%) received intensive smoking cessation service. By intention-to-treat, the validated 7 day point prevalence quit rate was 20.3% (95% confidence interval: 16.2%-24.8%). Smoking less than 11 cigarettes per day and being adherent to NRT for 4 weeks or more were significant predictors of quitting. The average cost per contact was US$54 (smokers only); per smoker with counselling: US$168; per self-reported quitter: US$594; and per cotinine validated quitter: US$827.

Conclusion: This mobile smoking cessation programme was acceptable to elderly Chinese smokers, with quit rate comparable to other comprehensive programmes in the West. A mobile clinic is a promising model to reach the elderly and probably other hard to reach smokers.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • China
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Mobile Health Units / organization & administration*
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Program Development
  • Program Evaluation
  • Reference Values
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Smoking Prevention*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome