Sonia A Duffy*, University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Departments of Otolaryngology and Psychiatry; and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, United States Seung Hee Choi, University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, United States Andrea H Waltje, University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, United States David L Ronis, University of Michigan, School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, United States Devon Noonan, Duke University, School of Nursing, Durham, United States Oisaeng Hong, University of California: San Francisco (UCSF), School of Nursing, San Francisco, United States Caroline R Richardson, University of Michigan Health System, Department of Family Medicine; and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, United States John D Meeker, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, United States Track: Research Presentation Topic: Web 2.0 approaches for behaviour change, public health and biosurveillance Presentation Type: Oral presentation Submission Type: Single Presentation Building: Sheraton Maui Resort Room: B - Kapalua Date: 2014-11-14 11:50 AM – 12:35 PM Last modified: 2014-09-04

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Background: Novel interventions tailored to blue collar workers are needed to reduce the disparities in smoking rates among occupational groups.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and usage of the web-based Tobacco Tactics targeting Operating Engineers (heavy equipment operators) compared to the 1-800-QUIT-NOW telephone line.
Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial on Operating Engineers attending one of 25 safety training sessions from 2010 through 2012. One hundred forty five smokers were randomized to either the Tobacco Tactics website with nurse phone counseling and access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or to the 1-800-QUIT-NOW telephone line which provided a personal coach that provided counseling and an equal number of phone calls and NRT. The Tobacco Tactics website contains graphics tailored to Operating Engineers, tailored cessation feedback, and follow-up nurse counseling offered by multi-media options including phone and/or email, and/or e-community. The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day abstinence at 30-days and 6-months post-intervention. The outcomes were compared using χ2 tests, t-tests, mixed models, generalized mixed models, and logistic regression models.
Results: The average age was 42 years and most were male (79.3%) and White (86.2%). With an intent-to-treat analysis, the Tobacco Tactics website group showed significantly higher self-reported quit rates (26.9%) than the 1-800-QUIT-NOW group (7.7%) at 30-day follow-up (p<.05), but this difference was no longer significant at 6-month follow-up. There were significantly more positive changes in harm reduction measures (quit attempts, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and nicotine dependence) at both 30-day and 6-month follow-up in the Tobacco Tactics group compared to the 1-800-QUIT-NOW group (p<.05). Compared to participants in the 1-800-QUIT-NOW group, significantly more of those in the Tobacco Tactics website group participated in the intervention, received phone calls and NRT, and found the intervention helpful (p<.05).
Conclusions: The Tobacco Tactics website showed higher efficacy and reach than the 1-800-QUIT-NOW intervention. Possible reasons for these findings include the website was developed and tailored for Operating Engineers and was available anytime and accessed as frequently as desired. Longer counseling sessions may be needed to improve 6-month cessation rates.