Perceptions About Mindfulness and Text Messaging for Smoking Cessation in Vietnam: Results From a Qualitative Study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Vuong Van Do, Hanoi University; Claire Adams Spears, Georgia State University; Hoang Van Minh, Hanoi University; Jidong Huang, Georgia State University; Pamela Buffington Redmon, Emory University; Nguyen Xuan Long, Vietnam Association of Psychology; Michael Paul Eriksen, Georgia State University
• Language: English
• Date: 2020
• Publisher: JMIR Publications
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: ©Vuong Van Do, Claire Adams Spears, Hoang Van Minh, Jidong Huang, Pamela Buffington Redmon, Nguyen Xuan Long, Michael Paul Eriksen. Originally published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 24.06.2020
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/17337
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 6
• Grant/Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the funding support from the Fogarty International Center of the National Institutes of Health under award number R01TW010666. The content of this paper is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
• Keywords: mobile health; smoking; text messages; mobile phone; smoking cessation; mHealth
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Health Care Management; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Background With 15.6 million smokers, Vietnam is one of the top 10 largest cigarette-consuming countries in the world. Unfortunately, smoking cessation programs are still scarce in Vietnam. Mindfulness-based and text messaging–based interventions have been increasingly used in smoking cessation studies in developed countries, with promising results. Given the exponential growth of mobile phone usage in Vietnam in recent years, mobile health interventions could be a potential strategy to increase smoking cessation in Vietnam. However, substantial cultural adaptations are needed to optimize the effectiveness of these interventions among Vietnamese smokers. Objective This study aims to involve qualitative research to inform the development of a mindfulness-based text messaging smoking cessation intervention for Vietnamese smokers. Methods A total of 10 focus groups were conducted with 71 Vietnamese male smokers aged between 18 and 65 years (5-9 participants per focus group). Overall, 5 focus groups were conducted with smokers who had the intention to quit (ie, preparation stage of change in the transtheoretical model), and 5 focus groups were conducted with smokers who did not have the intention to quit (contemplation or precontemplation stage). The focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo 12 software (QSR International). Results The major themes included smoking triggers, barriers and facilitators for quitting, the perceptions of text messaging and mindfulness approaches for smoking cessation, and suggestions for the development of a text messaging–based smoking cessation program. Common smoking triggers included stress, difficulties concentrating, and fatigue. Frequently encountering other people who were smoking was a common barrier to quitting. However, participants indicated that concerns about the harmful effects of smoking on themselves and their wives and children, and encouragement from family members could motivate them to quit. The participants preferred diverse message content, including information about the consequences of smoking, encouragement to quit, and tips to cope with cravings. They suggested that text messages be clear and concise and use familiar language. Most smokers perceived that mindfulness training could be useful for smoking cessation. However, some suggested that videos or in-person training may also be needed to supplement teaching mindfulness through text messages. Conclusions This study provides important insights to inform the development of a text messaging–based smoking cessation program that incorporates mindfulness for Vietnamese male smokers. The results could also be useful for informing similar programs in other low- and middle-income countries.