Nicotine & Tobacco Research Advance Access originally published online on July 24, 2009
Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2009 11(10):1205-1215; doi:10.1093/ntr/ntp125
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Active telephone recruitment to quitline services: Are nonvolunteer smokers receptive to cessation support?
Flora Tzelepis, B.Sc.(Psych)(Hons), Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology, Cancer Council New South Wales, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia
Christine L. Paul, Ph.D., Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology, Cancer Council New South Wales, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia
Raoul A. Walsh, Ph.D., Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology, Cancer Council New South Wales, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia
John Wiggers, Ph.D., Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia
Sarah L. Duncan, B.Psych.(Hons), Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology, Cancer Council New South Wales, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia
Jenny Knight, M.Med.Sci.(HP), Hunter New England Population Health, Hunter New England Area Health Service, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia
Corresponding Author: Flora Tzelepis, B.Sc.(Psych)(Hons), Centre for Health Research & Psycho-oncology, Cancer Council New South Wales, University of Newcastle, Room 230A, Level 2, David Maddison Building, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia. Telephone: +61 2 4913 8606; Fax: +61 2 4913 8601; E-mail: flora.tzelepis{at}newcastle.edu.au
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Abstract |
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Introduction: Passive recruitment strategies relying on smoker-initiated contact probably contribute to particular groups of smokers using quitlines. Compared with the smoking population, smokers who call quitlines are more likely to be female, younger, higher educated, more addicted, quit previously, and motivated to quit. Quitlines could adopt new recruitment approaches such as active telephone recruitment involving recruiter-initiated contact, since this may enroll a broader representation of smokers. This study explored acceptability of active telephone recruitment to quitline support, smokers’ use, and acceptability of assistance and predictors of acceptability.
Methods: Smokers (N = 1,562) randomly selected from the New South Wales telephone directory were actively recruited by telephone into a randomized controlled trial that offered proactive telephone counseling (n = 769) or self-help materials (control: n = 793). Overall, 1,369 completed the 4-month postrecruitment interview, which examined acceptability.
Results: More than 90% of 4-month interview respondents found active telephone recruitment to cessation assistance acceptable. Of smokers allocated to proactive telephone counseling (n = 769), 90% accepted at least one and 65% three or more counseling calls. Of control participants who completed the 4-month interview, 84% read at least some self-help materials. Proactive telephone counseling recipients were significantly more likely than self-help material users to find the advice useful. Few characteristics predicted acceptability of proactive telephone counseling or self-help materials, suggesting that many types of smokers actively recruited by telephone are receptive to support.
Discussion: Active telephone recruitment could potentially enroll a broader representation of smokers to quitline services. Given these smokers are receptive to cessation assistance, quitlines should consider active telephone recruitment.