Effects of a Workplace mHealth Intervention for Smoking Behaviour: A Quasi Experimental Study Protocol

@#Introduction: Tobacco smoking causes various chronic diseases and adds costs to healthcare systems. The current smoking cessation interventions mostly target smokers who are ready to quit and are reactive in recruitment. Recently, mobile phones have become a new tool for promoting smoking cessation. The aim of this paper is to present a study protocol on a quasi-experimental study investigating the effects of a workplace mHealth intervention for smoking behaviour. Methods: A quasi-experimental study will be conducted among employees in an academic institution in Malaysia. The intervention group will receive a theory based WhaSTOP module via WhatsApp and will be compared with the control group (receive usual care). The primary outcomes are stage movement and the number of cigarettes per day. The secondary outcomes include knowledge of smoking, quit attempt, nicotine dependence, 7-day point prevalence of smoking abstinence, and the Transtheoretical Model constructs. A generalised estimating equation analysis will be performed to determine the effects of the intervention. Discussion: This protocol will provide a novel method to proactively approach smokers regardless of readiness to quit and to guide them through the stages of change so that they will be ready to take action to quit. This research will also provide insight into whether the intervention can be utilised as an additional tool for smokers at the workplace to quit smoking. Trial Registration: The trial was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Registry Number IRCT20220415054539N1).

The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status And Knowledge On Cardiovascular Risk Factors And Its Preventive Practices Among Urban Dwellers In Selangor, Malaysia

@#To assess knowledge, practices on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and practices among an urban population in Selangor. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted involving 336 adults in 161 houses randomly selected from three towns in Selangor, Malaysia. The mean knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors was moderately high among participants. Socioeconomic characteristics (SES) significantly associated with higher mean scores were being in middle age, female, high-income group and never smokers. Although the general knowledge on preventing cardiovascular risks among the urban population was moderately high, their lifestyle practices on preventing cardiovascular disease were moderate.

Predictors of sustained six months quitting success: efforts of smoking cessation in low intensity smoke-free workplaces

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>This study aims to identify the predictors of a 6-month quitting success among employees involved in workplace smoking cessation with low-intensity smoke-free policy.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A multicentre prospective cohort study was conducted among employees from 2 different public universities in Malaysia. Interventions include at least 2 sessions of behavioural therapy combined with free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for 8 weeks. Participants were followed up for 6 months. Independent variables assessed were on sociodemographic and environmental tobacco smoke. Their quit status were determined at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One hundred and eighty- five smokers volunteered to participate. Among the participants, 15% and 13% sustained quit at 3 months and 6 months respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that at 6 months, attending all 3 behavioural sessions predicted success. None of the environmental tobacco exposure variables were predictive of sustained cessation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Individual predictors of success in intra-workplace smoking cessation programmes do not differ from the conventional clinic-based smoking cessation. Furthermore, environmental tobacco exposure in low intensity smoke-free workplaces has limited influence on smokers who succeeded in maintaining 6 months quitting.</p>