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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Dec:71:58-62.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.08.014. Epub 2016 Aug 21.

Association Between Utilization of Quitline Services and Probability of Tobacco Abstinence in Low-Income Smokers

Steven L Bernstein  1 , June-Marie Weiss  2 , Benjamin Toll  3 , Susan M Zbikowski  4
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Association Between Utilization of Quitline Services and Probability of Tobacco Abstinence in Low-Income Smokers

Steven L Bernstein et al. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Quitlines (QL) are an effective means for smoking cessation, but a paucity of data exist examining the dose-response relationship between use of QL services and quit rates, especially among low-income smokers. The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between tobacco abstinence and use of QL services among low-income smokers.

Methods: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial of every- or some-day smokers aged 18 years or older visiting an urban emergency department. Inclusion criteria included self-pay or Medicaid insurance, as a proxy for low-income and low socioeconomic status. Intervention participants received a motivational interview, 6 weeks of nicotine patches and gum, a referral faxed to the state-sponsored QL, a booster call, and a quitline brochure. Control participants received the brochure. Smoking status was assessed by phone at 1 and 3 months, with confirmation via exhaled carbon monoxide testing at 3 months for those reporting abstinence. QL usage was obtained by utilization data from the QL database.

Results: Of 778 subjects, 197 (25.3%) reported any use of QL services at 3 months. Participants were trichotomized: no QL usage, 1 call only, and >1 call (583, 99, and 98 participants, respectively). Quit rates at 3 months in these no, low-, and high-use groups were, respectively, 7.2%, 9.1%, and 15.3% (P=0.03). Participants who used the QL had a median of 28 total minutes of telephone contact.

Conclusion: Among low-income smokers, greater use of QL services is associated with higher abstinence. Whether this resulted from a direct effect of the QL, or greater motivation among smokers using QL services cannot be determined from these data.

Keywords: Quitlines; Smoking cessation; Tobacco abstinence.

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Conflict of interest statement

B) Conflicts of Interest: none.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Figure 1a. Use of Quitline services by Intervention arm participants. Figure 1b. Use of Quitline services by Control arm participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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