Personalized Mobile Health Program Using Smartphones to Help Adults Quit Smoking in Laos Randomized Trial Comparing Standard Care with Automated Treatment

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to develop and evaluate a mobile health mHealth technology to help adult smokers in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic quit smoking cigarettes. The project addresses the high smoking rates among adults in Lao PDR, especially men, by adapting an automated, personalized smartphone-based intervention for smoking cessation. The study includes two main phases a formative research phase to adapt the intervention to local culture and language, and a randomized controlled trial RCT to test its effectiveness. The study involves two groups of adult smokers recruited from hospitals in Lao PDR. One group receives Standard Care, which includes brief advice to quit, self-help written materials, and a 2-week supply of nicotine patches. The other group receives Automated Treatment, which includes all Standard Care components plus a 26-week personalized smartphone program delivering interactive messages, images, and videos designed to support quitting. The intervention content is tailored to individuals quit attempts, coping skills, health conditions, and smoking status over time. Participants will complete baseline assessments and receive training on smartphone use if needed. Follow-up includes weekly smartphone assessments for six months for the Automated Treatment group and diet assessments for the Standard Care group. Researchers will monitor smoking status through biochemical confirmation and self-report at 3 and 12 months. The primary outcome is the rate of smoking cessation 12 months after enrollment. The study also aims to build local research capacity and improve tobacco cessation services in Lao PDR.

Mobile Health Technology for Personalized Tobacco Cessation Support in Laos