JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

With 15.6 million smokers, Vietnam is one of the top ten 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 technology interventions could be a potential solution to increase smoking cessation in Vietnam. However, substantial cultural adaptations are needed to optimize effectiveness for Vietnamese smokers.

Objective:

This study involved qualitative research to inform the development of a mindfulness-based text-messaging smoking cessation intervention for Vietnamese smokers.

Methods:

Ten focus groups were conducted with 71 Vietnamese male smokers aged 18 to 65 (5-9 participants per focus group). Five focus groups were conducted with smokers who had the intention to quit (i.e., preparation stage of change in the Transtheoretical model), and five focus groups were conducted with smokers who did not have intention to quit (contemplation or precontemplation stage). Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo 12 software (QSR International).

Results:

Major themes included: smoking triggers; barriers and facilitators for quitting; perceptions of text messaging and mindfulness approaches for quitting smoking; suggestions for text message content; frequency and timing of messages; text messaging program duration; interactivity of messages; and suggestions for incorporating mindfulness into smoking cessation programs. Participants preferred diverse message content, including information about smoking consequences, encouragement to quit, and tips to cope with cravings. They suggested that text messages be clear, concise, and use familiar language. Most smokers perceived that mindfulness training could be useful for smoking cessation. However, some suggested that videos and/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 smoking cessation program that incorporates mindfulness for Vietnamese male smokers. Results could also be useful for informing similar programs in other low- and middle-income countries.