Internet-Based Intervention Compared to Brief Intervention for Smoking Cessation in Brazil: Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death. Governments and health care providers should make available more accessible resources to help tobacco users stop. OBJECTIVE: This study describes a pilot longitudinal study that evaluated the efficacy of an internet-based intervention compared to the brief intervention for smoking cessation among Brazilians. METHODS: Eligible participants were recruited and randomly allocated to one of the two interventions. Measures were drawn by comparing cessation rates, motivation scores, and sought treatment between groups, assessed 1 and 3 months after the intervention. Inferential analysis was performed to compare the participants' characteristics, and the intention to treat was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 49 smokers were enrolled in this study (n=25, 51% in the brief intervention group; n=24, 49% in the internet-based intervention group). Mean age was 44.5 (SD 13.3) years; most were male (n=29, 59.2%), had elementary school (n=22, 44.9%), smoked 14.5 cigarettes per day on average (SD 8.6), and had a mean score of 4.65 for nicotine dependence and 5.7 for motivation to quit. Moreover, 35 (71%) participants answered follow-up 1, and 19 (39%) answered follow-up 2. The results showed similar rates of cessation and reduction for both intervention groups. CONCLUSIONS: The internet-based intervention was slightly more effective for smoking cessation, while the brief intervention was more effective in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day. This difference was small and had no statistical significance even after adjusting for intention-to-treat analysis. These results should be interpreted with caution, especially due to the small sample size.

Vaping, Perceptions of Vaping, and Plans to Quit Among E-cigarette Users in the United States and the United Kingdom.

INTRODUCTION: Government and health organizations in the United States and the United Kingdom have taken different stances on e-cigarettes policy. To explore the potential effects of these policies, we describe e-cigarette user characteristics, intentions to quit, and perceived attitudes toward vaping. METHODS: We used the online crowdsourcing platform Prolific to conduct a cross-sectional survey of current vapers in both countries. Measures were drawn from international surveys. RESULTS: The sample included 1044 vapers (524 United Kingdom; 520 United States) with a mean age of 34. Samples differed by gender (United States: 57% male vs 45% in United Kingdom), race (United States: 79% White vs 90% in United Kingdom) and employment (United States: 73% employed vs 79% in United Kingdom). UK respondents were more likely than US respondents to be ever smokers (89% vs 71%, p < .0001); be daily vapers (69% vs 53%, p < .0001) and to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking (75% vs 65%, p < .0007). Most vapers in the United Kingdom and the United States want to stop vaping (62% vs 61%; p < .9493), but US respondents plan to quit significantly sooner (odds ratio 0.47, p < .0004). Attitudes differed as well. Over half (56%) of UK respondents reported their government-approved e-cigarette use, and 24% felt health care providers had positive views on e-cigarettes versus 29% and 13% from the United States, respectively (p < .0004 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Plans for quitting and perceptions regarding e-cigarettes differ markedly between demographically similar groups of vapers in the two countries. Future research should determine whether e-cigarette cessation for adults should be a public health goal, and if so, identify effective ways to stop. IMPLICATIONS: The contribution of this study is that it describes differences in behaviors and attitudes of vapers recruited through the same research platform and adjusted to account for minor demographic differences across country samples. For clinicians, these findings suggest that most vapers would welcome assistance in quitting. For researchers and policymakers, findings suggest that government policy regarding nicotine devices might influence behaviors and attitudes related to use and also that future research is needed to determine effective ways to quit.

Epidemiological data on HIV-infected patients and the importance of education regarding the infection rate. An analytical cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are an important public health problem in all countries. Knowledge of their relationship with the various socioeconomic levels is necessary for an understanding of their epidemiology and behavior in society. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and to correlate education with history of sexually transmitted diseases, especially for syphilis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The medical records of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) between January 2010 and July 2018 were assessed. These patients were attended at the specialized assistance service for HIV/AIDS) of the Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD/AIDS) of the city of Juiz de Fora. In total, 335 patients were selected. RESULTS: In our sample, 73.13% were male; 57.36% were aged between 25 and 45 years and 24.23% were over 45 years of age. Regarding sexual orientation, 61.78% were homosexual. Regarding education, 52.88% had "unskilled education", while 47.12% had "qualified education". Analysis on the relationship between schooling and syphilis, a positive relationship between qualified schooling and syphilis was observed: odds ratio = 3.588; 95% confidence interval: 1.090-11.808. CONCLUSION: Homosexual male patients are most affected by HIV. Furthermore, this disease is not limited only to individuals with low education. Syphilis should be suspected in all individuals.

Epidemiological data on HIV-infected patients and the importance of education regarding the infection rate. An analytical cross-sectional study

Abstract BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) are an important public health problem in all countries. Knowledge of their relationship with the various socioeconomic levels is necessary for an understanding of their epidemiology and behavior in society. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and to correlate education with history of sexually transmitted diseases, especially for syphilis. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analytical cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The medical records of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) between January 2010 and July 2018 were assessed. These patients were attended at the specialized assistance service for HIV/AIDS) of the Department of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD/AIDS) of the city of Juiz de Fora. In total, 335 patients were selected. RESULTS: In our sample, 73.13% were male; 57.36% were aged between 25 and 45 years and 24.23% were over 45 years of age. Regarding sexual orientation, 61.78% were homosexual. Regarding education, 52.88% had "unskilled education", while 47.12% had "qualified education". Analysis on the relationship between schooling and syphilis, a positive relationship between qualified schooling and syphilis was observed: odds ratio = 3.588; 95% confidence interval: 1.090-11.808. CONCLUSION: Homosexual male patients are most affected by HIV. Furthermore, this disease is not limited only to individuals with low education. Syphilis should be suspected in all individuals.

Sociodemographic, laboratory, image data and predictors of gravity risk in patients with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The effects, severity, and prognosis of COVID-19 infections do not follow a linear pattern in different locations, but change according to the epidemiological data and social issues in each region. AIMS: The purpose of the current study is to provide the clinical and epidemiological standard of the population affected by COVID-19 in the city of Juiz de Fora, MG to better understand the disease and its risk factors, in order to enable more appropriate conduct for patients. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was carried out from March to August of 2020, with 266 participants admitted to the emergency department of the Instituto de Clínicas e Cirurgia de Juiz de Fora-Hospital Monte Sinai. Data were tabulated, analyzed, and classified according to the outcome using an ordinal regression model. RESULTS: Among the 266 admitted patients, the most common findings were ground-glass opacifications on chest CT (78.8%), cough (75.6%), fever (58.4%), and rhinorrhea (34.5%). There were greater severity and greater need for hospitalization and admission to the ICU in patients who were male, tachypneic at the time of admission, with older age, and with underlying diseases. CONCLUSION: Collected data allowed for a better understanding of the disease, its severity criteria, and its pattern of affection in Juiz de Fora, MG. More studies based on the analysis of the behavior of COVID-19 in different regions must be carried out, to improve treatment and support to local populations.

Facebook recruitment of smokers: comparing gain- and loss-framed ads for the purposes of an Internet-based smoking cessation intervention.

Gain- and loss-framed messages about smoking behavior have commonly been used to promote cessation. However, there are still no clear conclusions as to what kind of message is more effective for motivating smokers to quit. This study compared the effectiveness of loss- and gain-framed messages in the online recruitment of smokers via Facebook Advertising. Loss- and gain-framed messages about smoking were created and released as Facebook ads. Users who clicked on the ads were automatically redirected to the "Live Without Tobacco" intervention (http://www.vivasemtabaco.com.br). The amount spent on the ads was BRL 647.64. Data were collected from the Facebook Ads platform and from a relational database. Analyses were performed on the 6,350 users who clicked on one of the ads and 1,731 who were successfully redirected to the intervention. Gain-framed ads reached 174,029 people and loss-framed ads reached 180,527. The former received 2,688 clicks, while the latter received 3,662. The cost of the click was BRL 0.12 per gain-framed ad and BRL 0.09 per loss-framed ad. Loss-framed ads reached more users, got more clicks (and website accesses), and led to more accounts and quit plans being created. Loss-framed messages about smoking appear to be more cost-effective for both initial recruitment and intervention engagement. Facebook has proven to be a good outreach and recruitment tool and can be a solution for the difficulty in reaching smokers for cessation interventions.

Facebook recruitment of smokers: comparing gain- and loss-framed ads for the purposes of an Internet-based smoking cessation intervention / Recrutamento de fumantes através do Facebook: uma comparação de anúncios com informações positivas e negativas em uma intervenção online voltada para a cessação do tabagismo / Captación de fumadores a través de Facebook: comparación de anuncios resaltados sobre los beneficios de dejar de fumar y los perjuicios del tabaquismo para una campaña publicitaria realizada en Internet como intervención contra el tabaquismo

Abstract: Gain- and loss-framed messages about smoking behavior have commonly been used to promote cessation. However, there are still no clear conclusions as to what kind of message is more effective for motivating smokers to quit. This study compared the effectiveness of loss- and gain-framed messages in the online recruitment of smokers via Facebook Advertising. Loss- and gain-framed messages about smoking were created and released as Facebook ads. Users who clicked on the ads were automatically redirected to the "Live Without Tobacco" intervention (http://www.vivasemtabaco.com.br). The amount spent on the ads was BRL 647.64. Data were collected from the Facebook Ads platform and from a relational database. Analyses were performed on the 6,350 users who clicked on one of the ads and 1,731 who were successfully redirected to the intervention. Gain-framed ads reached 174,029 people and loss-framed ads reached 180,527. The former received 2,688 clicks, while the latter received 3,662. The cost of the click was BRL 0.12 per gain-framed ad and BRL 0.09 per loss-framed ad. Loss-framed ads reached more users, got more clicks (and website accesses), and led to more accounts and quit plans being created. Loss-framed messages about smoking appear to be more cost-effective for both initial recruitment and intervention engagement. Facebook has proven to be a good outreach and recruitment tool and can be a solution for the difficulty in reaching smokers for cessation interventions.

Resumo: A cessação do tabagismo tem sido promovida através de mensagens positivas, focadas em ganhos, e negativas, focadas em perdas. Entretanto, ainda não há conclusões claras sobre o tipo de medida mais eficaz na motivação dos fumantes para deixar de fumar. O estudo comparou a efetividade das mensagens negativas e positivas no recrutamento online de fumantes através de anúncios no Facebook. Mensagens negativas e positivas sobre o tabagismo foram criadas e divulgadas pelo Facebook Ads. Ao clicar nos anúncios, os usuários eram automaticamente direcionados para a intervenção "Viva Sem Tabaco" (http://www.vivasemtabaco.com.br). O valor gasto na divulgação foi de BRL 647,64. Os dados foram extraídos da plataforma de anúncios do Facebook e de uma base de dados relacionais. As análises foram realizadas para os 6.350 usuários que clicaram em um dos anúncios e para os 1.731 usuários que foram redirecionados para a intervenção. Os anúncios positivos atingiram 174.029 pessoas e os negativos 180.527, que foram convertidas em 2.688 e 3.662 cliques, respectivamente. O custo do clique foi de BRL 0,12 para os anúncios positivos e de BRL 0,09 para os negativos. Os anúncios negativos atingiram mais usuários, receberam mais cliques no site e tiveram maior conversão em número de contas e planos de cessação criados. As mensagens sobre as perdas associadas com o tabagismo parecem ser mais custo-eficazes, tanto no recrutamento quanto no engajamento dos fumantes na intervenção. O Facebook mostrou ser uma boa ferramenta de divulgação e recrutamento e pode ser uma solução para a dificuldade de alcançar fumantes para intervenções de cessação.

Resumen: Los anuncios resaltados sobre los efectos del tabaco se han utilizado para luchar contra el tabaquismo. No obstante, todavía no existen conclusiones claras sobre qué tipo de mensaje es el más efectivo para motivar a los fumadores a dejar este hábito. Este estudio comparó la efectividad de anuncios resaltados sobre los beneficios de dejar de fumar y otros sobre los perjuicios del tabaquismo para una campaña de captación de fumadores en línea a través de Facebook Advertising. Estos anuncios fueron creados y divulgados mediante Facebook Ads. Los usuarios que hicieron clic en los anuncios fueron automáticamente redirigidos a la intervención "Vive sin Tabaco" (http://www.vivasemtabaco.com.br). La cantidad invertida para su difusión fue BRL 647.64. Los datos se recogieron de la plataforma Facebook Ads y de una base de datos relacional. Los análisis se realizaron con 6.350 fumadores que hicieron clic en uno de los anuncios y con los 1.731 que fueron redirigidos a la intervención. Los anuncios sobre los beneficios de dejar de fumar llegaron a 174.029 personas y los relativos a los perjuicios a 180.527, que se convirtieron en 2.688 y 3.662 clics, respectivamente. El coste del clic fue BRL 0.12 para los anuncios sobre los beneficios de dejar de fumar y BRL 0.09 en el caso de los que subrayaban los perjuicios. Estos últimos alcanzaron a más usuarios, tuvieron más clics en la página web, y existió una conversión más grande entre el número de cuentas y planes creados para dejar de fumar. Asimismo, estos anuncios se muestran como más costo efectivos, tanto para la captación, como para la implicación de fumadores en esta intervención. Facebook ha demostrado ser una buena herramienta de alcance y captación y puede ser una solución para evitar la dificultad de llegar a fumadores en intervenciones de lucha contra el tabaquismo.

Crack e Mídia: O que dizem as principais revistas jornalísticas do país? / Crack and Media: What do the main news magazines in the country say? / Crack y Medios: ¿Qué dicen las principales revistas periodísticas del país?

O estudo visa analisar os conteúdos divulgados pelas principais revistas de circulação na mídia digital brasileira acerca do consumo de crack. Pesquisa documental, exploratório-descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa das três revistas semanais com maior circulação no país. O acesso foi através dos sites das revistas, as palavras-chave: "crack", "óxi" e "merla" foram utilizadas e apenas a categoria de notícias foi incluída. As 661 notícias encontradas foram analisadas em relação a duplicação, quando "crack" não foi utilizado como droga e quando não era o tema central na notícia. Restando assim, 559 notícias. A análise de conteúdo temática identificou os principais temas presentes. A maior parte das notícias é permeada pela criminalização e moralização dos usuários de crack, relacionando-se principalmente ao tratamento, bem como o tráfico, com reportagens de ações policiais e ao enfrentamento do fenômeno, através de iniciativas de combate. Compreende-se a mídia enquanto formadora de opinião, mas também como produto sócio-histórico que reflete posições e visões de mundo. Observa-se a necessidade de modificação da abordagem ao fenômeno do crack pelos meios de comunicação analisados, na tentativa de estimular um debate ampliado e realista sobre a temática, em detrimento dos correntes discursos maniqueístas, estigmatizantes e de sobreposição de racionalidades.(AU)

The study aims to analyze the content disseminated by the main circulation magazines in the Brazilian digital media about crack consumption. Documental research, exploratory-descriptive design, with qualitative approach for the news published in the three weekly magazines with greater circulation in the country. Access was through the websites of the magazines, the keywords: "crack", "oxi" and "merla" were used and only the news category was included. The 661 news stories were analyzed in relation to duplication, when "crack" was not used as a drug and when it was not the main topic in the news - leaving 559 news. The thematic content analysis identified the main themes present. Most of the news is permeated by the criminalization and moralization of crack users, relating mainly to trafficking, reporting police actions and coping with the phenomenon, through combat and treatment initiatives. Media is understood as an opinion-maker, but also as a socio-historical product that reflects world visions. It is considered the need to modify the approach to the phenomenon of crack by the analyzed media, in an attempt to stimulate an enlarged and realistic debate on the subject, to the detriment of current manichean, stigmatizing and overlapping rationalities discourses.(AU)

Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar los contenidos de las principales revistas de circulación en los medios digitales brasileños sobre el consumo del crack. Investigación documental, exploratorio-descriptiva, con abordaje cualitativo de las tres revistas semanales con mayor circulación en el país. El acceso fue a través de los sitios de las revistas, las palabras clave: "crack", "ohxi" y "merla" fueron utilizadas y sólo la categoría de noticias fue incluida. Las 661 noticias encontradas fueron analizadas en relación a la duplicación, cuando "crack" no fue utilizado como droga y cuando no era el tema central en las noticias. Por lo tanto, 559 noticias. El análisis de contenido temático identificó los principales temas presentes. La mayoría está permeada por la moralización de los consumidores de crack, relacionada principalmente con el tráfico y con el afrontamiento del fenómeno, a través de iniciativas para combatir. Los medios de comunicación son formadores de opinión, impactando en los valores, creencias y políticas, sino también producto histórico-social que refleja posiciones y visiones del mundo. Por lo tanto, existe la necesidad de cambiar el enfoque al fenómeno del crack por los medios analizados en un intento de estimular un debate mejorado estigmatizantes y realista sobre el tema.(AU)

Depression among smokers of a web-based intervention to quit smoking: a cross-sectional study / Depresión entre fumadores de una intervención en línea para dejar el tabaco: un estudio transversal

Abstract: Introduction: Web-based interventions for smoking cessation are an innovative strategy to reduce the burden of smoking. Although many web-based interventions are freely available in many languages and have proven to be effective, so far no study has covered in detail the association between depression and smoking. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of depression among users of the Viva sem Tabaco, a web-based intervention for smoking cessation. Method: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. In the internet-based intervention participated 1 433. Inclusion criteria were: being 18 years or older and a smoker; exclusion criteria were: omitting to fill out two questions of the screening depression questionnaire PHQ-2 and having made multiple accesses within a limited time span, characterizing invalid access. At the end, the sample had 461 participants. Participants answered questions related to sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco history, depression (PHQ-2 and PHQ-9), alcohol use, and intervention use. Results: Participants average age was 42.3 years (SD = 12.1). Most participants were female (67%), and 70% were employed during the time of the study. From the total sample, 36.4% of the participants presented depression according to PHQ-2. Being screened with depression was associated with tobacco dependence (OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.00, 1.20), and associated with not having a job (OR = .53; 95% CI = .29, .97). Discussion and conclusion: Depression may be a factor to be considered in programs that offer support to quit smoking through the internet for Portuguese Speakers.

Resumen: Introducción: Las intervenciones en línea para la interrupción del tabaquismo son una estrategia innovadora para reducir el nivel de consumo de tabaco. Aunque hay muchas intervenciones en línea gratuitas en varios idiomas que han demostrado ser eficaces, ningún estudio ha abarcado detalladamente la asociación entre depresión y tabaquismo. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la prevalencia de depresión entre usuarios de una intervención en línea para dejar de fumar. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal retrospectivo. 1 433 participantes fueron invitados para participar de la intervención mediada por internet. Los criterios de inclusión fueron tener 18 años o más y ser fumador; los criterios de exclusión fueron no haber marcado dos preguntas del cuestionario de detección de depresión PHQ-2 y haber realizado múltiples accesos dentro de un lapso de tiempo limitado, lo que se caracterizó como un acceso no válido. Los participantes (N = 461) respondieron a preguntas relacionadas con características sociodemográficas, historia del tabaco, depresión (PHQ-2 y PHQ-9), uso de alcohol y uso de la intervención. Resultados: De la muestra total, el 36.4% de los participantes presentaron depresión de acuerdo con el PHQ-2. La depresión se asoció con la dependencia del tabaco (OR = 1.10; 95% IC = 1.00, 1.20) y asociada con no tener un empleo (OR = .53; 95% IC = .29, .97). Discusión y conclusión: La depresión es un factor que se debe considerar en los programas que ofrecen apoyo para dejar de fumar a través de Internet para hablantes de portugués.

Uso de mensagens de celular para cessação do tabagismo: revisão sistemática / Use of cell phone messages for smoking cessation: a systematic review / Uso de mensajes de móvil para dejar de fumar: una revisión sistemática

Formas inovadoras de tecnologias de comunicação, como a internet e o uso de celular, são cada vez mais utilizadas para ajudar fumantes a parar de fumar. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre o uso de mensagens de celular como forma de intervenção para pessoas que desejam parar de fumar. Pesquisas foram conduzidas nas bases de dados PubMed, Psychinfo, Scielo e Pepsic. Palavras-chave incluíram: ["tobacco use cessation" OR"tobacco use disorder"] AND ["intervention studies" OR "clinical trial" OR "evaluation studies"] AND ["text messaging"]. Os critérios de seleção dos estudos foram: 1) abordarem o tema mensagens de texto de celular para o tratamento do tabagismo; 2) ser um estudo clínico; 3) artigos científicos com textos completos disponíveis em bases de dados e 4) estar nos idiomas português, espanhol ou inglês. Entre os 23 estudos encontrados, sete preencheram os critérios de inclusão. Em seis dos sete estudos encontrados o envio de mensagens de celular foi a intervenção mais eficaz. Intervenções baseadas no envio de mensagens de celular são uma estratégia complementar ao tratamento do tabagismo que podem contribuir para a cessação tabágica. A inclusão de apenas três idiomas foi uma limitação dessa revisão

Innovative forms of communication technologies such as Internet and mobile phone are increasingly being used to provide information and support to smokers who want to quit. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review about the use of mobile text messaging as an intervention for people who want to quit smoking and the possible effects of this intervention on tobacco control. Searches were conducted on PubMed, PsycInfo, Scielo and Pepsic. Search terms included: ["tobacco use cessation" OR "tobacco use disorder"] AND ["interventions studies" OR "clinical trial" OR "evaluation studies"] AND ["text messaging"]. The selection criteria were: 1) addressing the subject of mobile text messages for smoking treatment; 2) being a clinical trial; 3) scientific articles with full text available in databases and 4) being in Portuguese, Spanish or English. Among the 23 studies found, 7 met the inclusion criteria. In 6 of the 7 studies found, sending mobile messages was the most effective intervention. Interventions based on mobile text message can become an important tool to increase prevalence of smoking cessation. The inclusion of only three languages was a limitation of this review

Formas innovadoras de tecnologías de la comunicación, como Internet y el uso del teléfono móvil, se utilizan cada vez más para ayudar a los fumadores a dejar de fumar. El objetivo fue realizar una revisión sistemática el uso de envío de mensajes de textos como una intervención para las personas que desean dejar de fumar. Se realizaron encuestas en las bases de datos PubMed, PsychINFO, Scielo y Pepsic. Palabras clave incluyen: ["tobacco use cessation" OR "tobacco use disorder"] AND ["intervention studies" OR"clinical trial" OR "evaluation studies"] AND ["text messaging"]. Los criterios de selección del estudio fueron: 1) abordar el tema de los mensajes de texto móviles para el tratamiento del tabaquismo; 2) ser un estudio clínico; 3) artículos científicos con texto completo disponible en las bases de datos y 4) estar en los idiomas: portugués, español o inglés. Entre los 23 estudios encontrados, siete cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. En 6 de los 7 estudios encontrados envío de mensajes móviles fue la intervención más eficaz. Intervenciones basadas en el envío de mensajes móviles son una estrategia complementaria para el tratamiento del tabaquismo que puede contribuir a dejar de fumar. La inclusión de sólo tres idiomas fue una limitación de esta revisión.

A review of smartphone apps for smoking cessation available in Portuguese. / Revisão dos aplicativos de smartphones para cessação do tabagismo disponíveis em língua portuguesa.

Smartphone apps are being developed as a complement to smoking cessation treatment. The current study aimed to analyze the content of available apps in Portuguese in two operational systems, Android and iOS. Fifty-one apps were found in iTunes and 600 in Google Play. Content evaluation included apps that focused on smoking cessation, with a total of 12 apps in iOS and 3 in Android. Each app was categorized according to its approach to smoking cessation and scored according to level of adherence to the Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence smoking cessation treatment guideline. Nine apps were classified as calendars, 8 as information tools, 6 as calculators, 3 as cigarette trackers, and 1 as hypnosis. The apps showed low level of adherence to the guideline, with a mean score of 12.8. We recommend that the available apps be revised and that future apps be developed using evidence-based practices for smoking cessation.

Revisão dos aplicativos de smartphones para cessação do tabagismo disponíveis em língua portuguesa / Revisión de aplicaciones de smartphones para dejar de fumar en portugués / A review of smartphone apps for smoking cessation available in Portuguese

Resumo: Aplicativos de smartphones estão sendo desenvolvidos como uma forma complementar ao tratamento do tabagismo. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar o conteúdo de aplicativos disponíveis na língua portuguesa em dois sistemas operacionais: Android e iOS. Cinquenta e um aplicativos foram encontrados no iTunes e 600 no Google Play. Foram incluídos na avaliação do conteúdo aqueles aplicativos que tivessem como foco a cessação do tabagismo, com um total de 12 no iOS e 3 no Android. Cada aplicativo foi categorizado por meio da sua abordagem na cessação de tabagismo e pontuado de acordo com o seu nível de aderência às diretrizes de tratamento de tabagismo do Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Em relação às categorias, 9 foram classificados como calendário, 8 como informativo, 6 como calculadora, 3 como medidor de cigarros fumados e 1 como hipnose. Os aplicativos apresentaram baixo nível de aderência às diretrizes, com uma média de 12,8. Recomenda-se que os aplicativos disponíveis sejam revisados e que futuros aplicativos sejam desenvolvidos utilizando práticas baseadas em evidência para a cessação do tabagismo.

Resumen: Aplicaciones para smartphones se están desarrollando como un complemento al tratamiento del tabaquismo. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el contenido de aplicaciones disponibles en el idioma portugués en dos sistemas operativos: Android y iOS. Cincuenta y un aplicaciones fueron encuentradas en iTunes y 600 en Google Play. Se incluyeron en la evaluación las aplicaciones que se han centrado en dejar de fumar, con un total de 12 en iOS y 3 en Android. Se clasificó cada aplicación de acuerdo a su enfoque para el abandono del hábito de fumar y se anotó de acuerdo con el nivel de adherencia a la guía de tratamiento del Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Nueve aplicaciones se clasificaron como calendarios, 8 como herramientas de información, 6 como calculadoras, 3 como seguidores de cigarrillos y 1 como hipnosis. Las aplicaciones mostraron un bajo nivel de adherencia a la guía de tratamiento, con una puntuación media de 12,8. Recomendamos que se revisen las aplicaciones disponibles y que las aplicaciones futuras se desarrollen utilizando prácticas basadas en la evidencia para dejar de fumar.

Abstract: Smartphone apps are being developed as a complement to smoking cessation treatment. The current study aimed to analyze the content of available apps in Portuguese in two operational systems, Android and iOS. Fifty-one apps were found in iTunes and 600 in Google Play. Content evaluation included apps that focused on smoking cessation, with a total of 12 apps in iOS and 3 in Android. Each app was categorized according to its approach to smoking cessation and scored according to level of adherence to the Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence smoking cessation treatment guideline. Nine apps were classified as calendars, 8 as information tools, 6 as calculators, 3 as cigarette trackers, and 1 as hypnosis. The apps showed low level of adherence to the guideline, with a mean score of 12.8. We recommend that the available apps be revised and that future apps be developed using evidence-based practices for smoking cessation.

Intervenções de Cessação de Tabagismo em Fumantes Leves: uma Revisão Sistemática / Smoking Cessation Interventions in Light Smokers: a systematic review

Apesar da diminuição da prevalência de fumantes, o número de tabagistas de baixo consumo de cigarro tem aumentado, comumente denominados de fumantes leves ou intermitentes. É sabido que qualquer quantidade de consumo de tabaco pode trazer danos à saúde. A pesquisa sobre essa população é escassa e pouco se sabe sobre intervenções de cessação de tabagismo direcionadas a esses grupos. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática a fim de descrever estudos que apresentam intervenções para fumantes leves e intermitentes. As pesquisas foram conduzidas nas bases de dados PubMed, PsycInfo, SciELO e Pepsic. Palavras-chave incluíram: [light smoker, non-daily smoker, intermittent smoker; social smoking, occasional smoking, low-level smoking] AND [intervention studies, clinical trial and evaluation studies] AND [tobacco use cessation, tobacco use disorder]. Nove artigos preencheram os critérios de inclusão e foram analisados. Os resultados apontaram que intervenções bem-sucedidas incluíram aconselhamento e uso de medicamentos, tais como intervenção breve, tratamento de reposição de nicotina, Vareniclina, educação em saúde, entre outros. No entanto, intervenções ainda estão em estágio inicial. Destaca-se a necessidade de mais investigações sobre intervenções específicas para fumantes de baixo consumo, desenvolvimento de escalas de dependência exclusivas para esse grupo e estudos epidemiológicos para compreender quem são os fumantes leves e intermitentes, especialmente no Brasil

Intervenções de cessação de tabagismo em fumantes leves: uma revisão sistemática / Smoking cessation interventions in light smokers: a systematic review

Apesar da diminuição da prevalência de fumantes, o número de tabagistas de baixo consumo de cigarro tem aumentado, comumente denominados de fumantes leves ou intermitentes. É sabido que qualquer quantidade de consumo de tabaco pode trazer danos à saúde. A pesquisa sobre essa população é escassa e pouco se sabe sobre intervenções de cessação de tabagismo direcionadas a esses grupos. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi realizar uma revisão sistemática a fim de descrever estudos que apresentam intervenções para fumantes leves e intermitentes. As pesquisas foram conduzidas nas bases de dados PubMed, PsycInfo, SciELO e Pepsic. Palavras-chave incluíram: [light smoker, non-daily smoker, intermittent smoker; social smoking, occasional smoking, low-level smoking] AND [intervention studies, clinical trial and evaluation studies] AND [tobacco use cessation, tobacco use disorder]. Nove artigos preencheram os critérios de inclusão e foram analisados. Os resultados apontaram que intervenções bem-sucedidas incluíram aconselhamento e uso de medicamentos, tais como intervenção breve, tratamento de reposição de nicotina, Vareniclina, educação em saúde, entre outros. No entanto, intervenções ainda estão em estágio inicial. Destaca-se a necessidade de mais investigações sobre intervenções específicas para fumantes de baixo consumo, desenvolvimento de escalas de dependência exclusivas para esse grupo e estudos epidemiológicos para compreender quem são os fumantes leves e intermitentes, especialmente no Brasil

Despite decreases in the prevalence of smoking, the number of low-rate smokers – commonly called light or intermittent smokers – is increasing. Any dose of tobacco can be hazardous to health. Research about this population is scarce and little is known about tobacco cessation interventions that focus on these groups. The aim of the present paper is to conduct a systematic review to describe research on interventions for light and intermittent smokers. Searches were conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, SciELO and Pepsic. Search terms included: [light smoker, non-daily smoker, intermittent smoker; social smoking, occasional smoking, low-level smoking] AND [intervention studies, clinical trial and evaluation studies] AND [tobacco use cessation, tobacco use disorder]. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Successful interventions included counseling and pharmacotherapy such as brief intervention, health education, nicotine replacement, and varenicline. Interventions for light smokers are in the early stages of development. Future studies should test interventions specifically designed for low-rate smokers, develop dependence scales designed for low-rate smokers, and pursue epidemiologic studies to better profile light and intermittent smokers, especially in Brazil.