None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The pilot study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an Islamic faith-based intervention for smoking cessation delivered via WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia. The study provided preliminary evidence on the effects of combining faith-based messages with smoking-related health messages (intervention) compared to smoking-related health messages alone (control). Current smokers attending an anti-smoking clinic were randomised to either the intervention or control group. The 21-day 21-intervention was feasible and acceptable, and showed promising preliminary effects of incorporating faith-based content on cessation outcomes.
Interventions
A behavioural Islamic faith-based smoking cessation intervention. The intervention consists of smoking-related health messages and religious-based messages. The smoking-related health messages were adapted from the existing text messages library of the STOMP smoking cessation intervention and informed by qualitative interviews with Muslim current and former smokers. The smoking-related health messages included information on the harms of smoking and the benefits of quitting smoking, strategies t
A behavioural Islamic faith-based smoking cessation intervention. The intervention consists of smoking-related health messages and religious-based messages. The smoking-related health messages were adapted from the existing text messages library of the STOMP smoking cessation intervention and informed by qualitative interviews with Muslim current and former smokers. The smoking-related health messages included information on the harms of smoking and the benefits of quitting smoking, strategies to quit smoking, and motivational quotes. The religious messages were derived from Islamic teachings and values, including verses from the Quran (Islam's Holy Book) and quotes from Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad). The intervention messages were co-designed with religious scholars who reviewed and revised the messages to ensure they aligned appropriately with the smoking-related health messages. The intervention was delivered via WhatsApp messaging. A total of 44 text messages were delivered over 21 days. A welcome message was sent upon enrolment, followed by two daily text messages: the first in the morning and the second in the evening. The messages were written in the Arabic language and kept to under 500 words. An example of a faith-based message: "Your smoking harms those around you. Studies have shown that people exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of developing cancer and respiratory diseases. Remember the saying of our Prophet: “A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe.” Adherence to the text messages was measured by sending participants a daily WhatsApp message asking whether they had read the messages. Participants were instructed to respond either by replying “yes” to the message or by using a thumbs-up emoji to indicate they had read it.
Sponsors
The University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
The inclusion criteria were adults aged 18 years or older who currently smoke cigarettes, waterpipe or both, self-identify as Muslims, resident in Saudi Arabia, own a smartphone with the WhatsApp application, and can read and understand Arabic.
Exclusion criteria
Participants who received another behavioural or pharmaceutical therapy to help them quit smoking or were diagnosed with mental health disorders for which they were receiving medical treatments from a health professional.
Outcome results
None listed