Development and evaluation of a quitline intervention commenced within an Australian smoke-free residential AOD withdrawal service.

OBJECTIVE

A novel quitline intervention (counseling plus provision of alternative forms of nicotine) was developed for people using a smoke-free, alcohol and other drug (AOD) withdrawal service. The objectives were: to code the intervention manual for behavior change techniques (BCTs) and to evaluate bespoke training, delivery of counseling provided (quality, number of BCTs) and acceptability.

METHODS

The manual was coded for 29 BCTs. Training outcomes were measured by counselor self-reported confidence. Delivery of counseling was analyzed by independent rating of the quality (maximum 100, all components delivered) and number of BCTs used in all recorded calls (n = 71) for randomly selected clients (n = 30). Acceptability was measured by uptake, clients' acceptability item ratings (n = 37) and recall of counseling content (n = 38) at six weeks post-baseline.

RESULTS

Coding of the manual identified 25/29 BCTs. Counselor (n = 10) self-reported confidence increased post-training (p = 0.03). High quality calls were delivered with a mean rating of 82.0 (SD13.16) and a mean of 8.50 (SD3.10) BCTs delivered per call. The BCTs assessment, pharmacological support and advising distraction were used frequently. Acceptability of counseling was good, with high uptake (77%; 68/88 clients contacted), counselors were rated as supportive (92%; 34/37), the majority of clients felt encouraged (87%; 32/37) and recalled counseling content for pharmacotherapy (79%; 30/38) and how to manage cravings (76%, 29/38).

CONCLUSION

A novel quitline intervention for residents of smoke-free, AOD withdrawal unit was delivered with high quality, had high acceptability, offered continuity of care pre- to post-discharge and facilitated tobacco cessation. Content of skills training to manage cravings, commenced in residence, was recalled by recipients post-discharge to sustain tobacco abstinence.