Smokers' expectations for and use of a web-based cessation program

Audience: Cessation program administrators and managers.

Key Points: The Florida Department of Health funds a web-based tobacco cessation program which provides free NRT, information about quitting, and a community section providing online support from other tobacco users and coaches. An evaluation of this program included three components: 1) an online survey which captured users’ expectations for the website, their self-reported use of the site, any technical difficulties they experienced, and satisfaction levels; 2) qualitative telephone interviews with registrants, which explored the same issues in greater depth; 3) analysis of website utilization data provided by the vendor.  Taken together, results from these three analyses suggest that registrants' use of the program is of low intensity, and that this matches their expectations.  Respondents indicate that the main motivation for registering is to obtain NRT, although a minority were seeking online support with quitting. Of all registrants, about 24% never log in to visit the site. Most of those who do log in visit the site once or twice, usually on a single day. A small proportion of registrants visit the site more times over a longer time span. The most frequently used website feature is the quitting plan section, where users can order NRT, set a quit date, and design a quitting plan. 92% of those who log in visit this section, and 75% set a quit date.

Educational Experience: The poster presents evaluation methodology and results.

Benefits: Attendees will understand how people make use of an online cessation intervention.