Abstract 17: Adaptation and Assessment of a Text Message Cessation Intervention for Tobacco Users in Viet Nam

Purpose: Text message (i.e., short message service, SMS) smoking cessation interventions have demonstrated efficacy, but most evaluations were conducted in high-income countries. We assessed the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a smoking cessation SMS intervention adapted to the sociocultural context, language and communication styles of Vietnamese smokers. Methods: Participants were current adult cigarette-only or dual cigarette and waterpipe users. We adapted a message library from two SMS smoking cessation programs with proven efficacy in increasing quit rates in the US. The iterative adaptation process included focus groups with 58 smokers to provide data on culturally relevant patterns of tobacco use and to assess message preferences. We then pilot tested (n=40) a 6-week SMS intervention using brief text surveys to obtain real time feedback on messages and conducted post-test interviews (n=10) to inform further adaptation. Finally, we randomized 100 smokers to the SMS intervention (including bidirectional messages and key words to generate additional support) vs. weekly text assessments of tobacco use. Surveys assessed engagement and acceptability at 6 weeks, cessation at 6 and 12 weeks. Results: Significant modifications were made in terms of content (e.g. preference for negative framing of health risks, and focus on enhancing refusal skills) and tone (e.g., preferences for action-oriented advice for craving management). We found high rates of engagement (e.g. 82% usually or always read messages) and satisfaction with the SMS program (e.g. 70% satisfied, 24% very satisfied). Conclusion: Intervention participants suggested enhancing the program with additional telephone support, extending the length of the program, and adding images and more interactive content. This pilot study provided support for the feasibility and acceptability of culturally-adapted SMS smoking cessation treatment among smokers in Viet Nam. It also showed promising early efficacy in promoting abstinence. Future studies are needed to assess whether, with additional modifications, the program is associated with long-term abstinence. Citation Format: Donna Shelley, Nan Jiang, Charles Cleland, Trang Nguyen, Lorien Abroms, Nam Nguyen. Adaptation and Assessment of a Text Message Cessation Intervention for Tobacco Users in Viet Nam [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 17.