JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Although tobacco use has significantly declined in the general population, traditional tobacco use treatment uptake and success rates remain disproportionately low among people who identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latina/o, and American Indian/Alaskan Native (AA/B, H/L and AI/AN). Technology-based interventions (TBIs) for tobacco use are promising alternatives to traditional tobacco use treatments.

Objective:

This scoping review aims to investigate if the use of digital TBIs in tobacco use treatment research promotes health equity among people who identify as AA/B, H/L, and AI/AN.

Methods:

This scoping review: identifies US-based studies (January 2000-March 2021) that enlist TBIs for tobacco use treatment and include people who identify as AA/B, H/L and AI/AN at 50% or more of the sample when combined; features studies that are also race/ethnicity conscious; and highlights health equity promoting insights from included studies.

Results:

In 22/26 of the studies, the largest proportion of the sample is AA/B, most participants had low socio-economic status and recruitment was most commonly from medical settings. Fifteen studies were race/ethnicity conscious, and 10/15 studies sought to partner with potential end-users. An array of TBIs were represented, however text messaging was most prevalent. Most TBIs were combined with other evidence-based intervention components (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy). Approximately one third of the studies required participants to have their own device and/or internet access. The majority were underpowered to detect significant differences.

Conclusions:

The modest number of studies, particularly for persons who identify as H/L and AI/AN, demonstrates the limited application of TBIs for tobacco use, and that additional research is needed to determine the extent to which TBIs for tobacco use promote health equity among these populations.