Open AccessAutomated Mobile Delivery of Financial Incentives for Smoking Cessation Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adults: Feasibility Study
Author(s) -
Darla E. Kendzor,
Michael S. Businelle,
Joseph J.C. Waring,
Ashley J Mathews,
Daryl W. Geller,
Jocelyn M. Barton,
Adam C. Alexander,
Emily T. Hébert,
K. Chaelin,
Damon J. Vidrine
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
jmir mhealth and uhealth
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 50
ISSN - 2291-5222
DOI - 10.2196/15960
Subject(s) - smoking cessation , medicine , abstinence , psychological intervention , socioeconomic status , incentive , disadvantaged , environmental health , psychiatry , population , pathology , political science , law , economics , microeconomics
Background Socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with a reduced likelihood of smoking cessation. Smartphone ownership is increasing rapidly, including among low-income adults, and smartphone interventions for smoking cessation may increase access to smoking cessation treatment among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of an automated smartphone-based approach to delivering financial incentives for smoking cessation. Methods Socioeconomically disadvantaged adults initiating tobacco cessation treatment were followed from 1 week before a scheduled quit attempt through 26 weeks after the quit date. Participants received telephone counseling and nicotine replacement therapy. Smoking cessation was verified 5 times per week via smartphone prompts to self-report smoking status and submit a breath sample via a portable carbon monoxide (CO) monitor that was connected with participants’ smartphones. Identity was verified during smoking status assessments using smartphone-based facial recognition software. When smoking abstinence and identity were verified, an automated credit card payment was triggered. Participants were incentivized for abstinence on the quit date and up to five days per week during the first 4 weeks after the scheduled quit date, with additional incentives offered during postquit weeks 8 and 12. In total, participants had the opportunity to earn up to US $250 in abstinence-contingent incentives over the first 12 weeks of the quit attempt. Results Participants (N=16) were predominantly female (12/16, 75%) and non-Hispanic white (11/16, 69%), black (4/16, 25%), or Hispanic of any race (1/16, 6%). Most participants (9/16, 56%) reported an annual household income of