A pilot study assessing the addition of a Quit and Win program to pharmacist-led intensive smoking cessation therapy in a predominantly underserved, minority population

• Main Authors: Kirk E. Evoy, Kentya H. Ford, Sabina O. Nduaguba, Amber Taylor, Lindsay Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Publishing 2019-11-01
• Series: Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
• Subjects: smoking cessation; pharmacist; quit and win; financial incentive; underserved; minority
• Online Access: http://www.journalssystem.com/tpc/A-Pilot-Study-Assessing-the-Addition-of-a-Quit-and-Win-Program-to-Pharmacist-Led,113356,0,2.html

Introduction Quit and Win programs (Q&W) have been shown to improve smoking cessation rates by offering potential rewards to encourage smoking cessation. However, few studies have combined Q&W with intensive smoking cessation programs including behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy, or studied Q&W in underserved, minority populations. This study was conducted to assess the impact on smoking cessation rates of adding a Q&W to intensive smoking cessation therapy in a largely underserved, minority population. Methods This was a single-center, prospective, open-label controlled study. Current smokers received pharmacist-led behavioral counseling and smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. Intervention group patients who successfully quit (verified by self-report and exhaled carbon monoxide) at 1 month and 3 months post-quit date were entered into a draw for $1000. The control group received the same smoking cessation services, but without a monetary incentive. Results Enrollment was 111 patients (N=85 in the intervention group), made up of predominantly underserved (82% had annual household income <$25000), minority (69.1%), and female (58%) patients. Groups were similar except the intervention group had lower educational and income levels, while the control group was more likely to smoke more than 1 pack per day. Quit rates at 3 months were 27% and 19% in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p=0.22). Female gender (OR=2.84; p=0.04) and Fagerström score (OR=0.71; p<0.01) were significant predictors of quitting. Conclusions The addition of Q&W to intensive smoking cessation services increased clinic referrals and numerically improved cessation rates, although this difference was not statistically significant, possibly due to high attrition of the study.