Can We Resolve the Disconnect Between How Communication Interventions Work and How We Evaluate Them?

Results of a mixed methods evaluation of the Make Healthy Normal campaign

The Make Healthy Normal obesity prevention mass media campaign was implemented in New South Wales, Australia from 2015 to 2018. This study evaluated Phase 2 (2017-18) of that campaign, using three cross-sectional online surveys with men aged 18-54 years (n = 4352) and six focus groups with men aged 35-54 years and parents with children aged 5-12 years (n = 38), reflecting the campaign's target audiences. We used linear and logistic regressions to examine changes over time in key outcomes, consistent with the campaign's theorized hierarchy of effects. Focus group data were analysed thematically and integrated with survey results at the interpretation stage. Survey results showed reasonable prompted recognition, although unprompted recall remained low, and there were no consistent, positive shifts in other outcomes, including behaviour. Focus group results suggested that this was because the campaign's messages, while considered clear and relevant, did not address the constraints participants experienced that made change difficult. Hence, the campaign by itself was unlikely to lead to behaviour change. We need to reconsider the role of campaigns in addressing multi-determined and complex problems. Evaluations should reconsider metrics of success, as they may not immediately result in behaviour change, especially in the absence of complementary policy and environmental strategies.

Interpersonal Communication in Response to an Intervention and Its Impact on Smoking Cessation Within a Low-Income Population

BACKGROUND

It is a priority to develop population-based strategies for reducing barriers to smoking cessation among low-income populations. Harnessing secondary transmission such as interpersonal communication (IC) has helped to reduce tobacco use, but there is a dearth of quasi-experimental research that examines IC and the full spectrum of smoking cessation behaviors, particularly in the context of population-level programs.

AIMS

Using quasi-experimental methods, we examined IC in response to a population-level intervention and its impact on the full spectrum of smoking cessation outcomes among low-income smokers.

METHOD

We used propensity score matching; three different propensity score matching procedures were used to estimate and approximate experimental effects. We assessed four cessation outcomes: utilization of a free tobacco quitline (QL), making a quit attempt, and being smoke-free for 7 and 30 days at follow-up. We also examined predictors of IC.

RESULTS

IC was significantly related to QL utilization (effect sizes ranging from 0.135 to 0.166), making a quit attempt (effect sizes ranging from 0.115 to 0.147), being smoke-free for 7 days (effect sizes ranging from 0.080 to 0.121), and being smoke-free for 30 days at follow-up (effect sizes ranging from 0.058 to 0.082). Program-related and participant characteristics predicted IC, such as receiving emotional direct mail materials and living with a fellow smoker.

DISCUSSION

IC in response to a population-based program affected the cessation process, and IC had a marked impact on sustained cessation.

CONCLUSION

Population-based programs should aim to harness psychosocial dynamics such as IC to promote sustained cessation among low-income populations.

Addiction Treatment Clients' Reactions to Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarette Packs

Graphic warning labels (GWLs) on cigarette packs have been tested among diverse groups at high risk for tobacco use. However, little is known about the effectiveness of GWL interventions for persons with substance use disorders, whose smoking prevalence is 3 to 4 times that of the general population. After an experimental study which exposed clients in residential addiction treatment to GWLs for 30 days, we conducted five focus groups with trial participants (N = 33) to explore how exposure to the labels may have impacted their readiness to quit smoking. Focus group interviews were analyzed thematically. Interviewees reported that GWLs were more effective than text-based warnings for increasing quit intentions due to greater cognitive and emotional impact. Male and female interviewees expressed gender-specific reactions to the labels. Addiction treatment programs are a strategic site for GWL and other tobacco interventions due to the tobacco-vulnerable populations they serve.