Does it help? one internet based tobacco cessation program's quit outcomes

Background: Currently, there is insufficient evidence in the literature to determine the effectiveness of Internet-based tobacco cessation programs. This evaluation study examined quit outcomes of Tobacco Free Florida web-based cessation program participants with differing levels of website utilization and program-provided NRT. The findings of this evaluation are important to states as they increasingly adopt web interventions to address a myriad of population health behaviors. Methods: This observational evaluation surveyed 2,700 registrants in an internet cessation program 7-months post-registration using a mixed mode web, phone, and mail survey (response rate 43.9%, n=1,186) to produce 30-day point prevalence abstinence rates. Outcome measures were adapted from the North American Quitline Consortium tobacco quitline measures. Results: Program registrants were stratified into three study groups according to program utilization levels: no utilization, one or more website visits, and website visits plus NRT shipment. The highest utilization group which received NRT achieved quit rates surpassing the NAQC quitline quit rate benchmark of 30%. Additional factors that contributed to success were medication use, health status and social support. However, individuals who self-select into the three utilization study groups differ on key characteristics including education level, insurance status, and ethnicity. Conclusions: This internet-based cessation program, which offers NRT, produces tobacco cessation outcomes which are within an acceptable range and similar to those achieved by telephone quitlines. However, self-selection into the program is evident and satisfaction levels are lower than that of the phone program.