2017smokingcessationproject-blog

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As usual, the colours and cropping are a little strange on this platform but here is the general idea of our final infographic poster. After feedback on our most recent one, we changed our sub headings to a less bold type as our tutor thought they were a little confrontational. The same goes for our main heading- is was previously all caps. We changed the typeface from The Bold Font to Avenir Black.

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Trialling some mini data visualisations for the poster! At this point, the biggest constraint is finding enough space.

[2017smokingcessationproject-blog]

We have added some colour and very basic icons to our poster- the next step is visualising the data!

[2017smokingcessationproject-blog]

This is a very basic layout of our next trial infographic- the information on this page has all been approved by Judith in terms of relevance, and we will be adding icons and small pie charts to assist with visualisation.

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After reviewing the brief, we have realised that our previous approach looked more like a poster than an infographic (the brief calls for an infographic style poster). We drafted the layout above- this will allow us to include more information and also leaves room for small icons to engage the viewer. 

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Designing for an audience

Today we spoke with Judith McCool, who is a key contributor to the Smoking mCessation project. She clarified a few things for us so that we can further refine our poster...

- the key stakeholder is potential funders of the project (rather than the smokers themselves). This means we need to include some more information in the poster regarding what the project would cost to run on a large scale.

- The Ministry of Health tends to steer away from images of people smoking, to avoid the risk of it encouraging more smoking. This means we need to find another image, or try another approach (ie. use illustration instead).

- Imagery should relate to the Samoan demographic, even though the stakeholder is potential funders.

- We requested some examples of the sorts of texts used in the campaign, Judith sent us a bank of over 100 (which we cannot post here for privacy reasons). We will be sorting through these to find 2 or 3 of the most confronting/effective ones to add to the poster.

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The colours aren’t coming out quite right here and there are a few pieces of text missing, but here is another progression of our poster. 

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This is our first draft of the main concept we have in mind, we are still refining the idea to make it more confronting. 

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We are currently deciding between using a photographic or illustrative background for our infographic. These are some designs we found interesting because of the way they have used imagery to distribute a large amount of information in a digestible way.

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Relevant info we will include:

- 100 smokers recruited to participate in a three month trial of text messages (personalised for Samoan smokers) encouraging them to quit.

- Majority of participants were male (60%), equal proportions preferred Samoa (49%) over English messages.  

- Only 55 of the original sample of 100 smokers have completed the programme 

What did Samoan smokers think about the programme?

Helped think and try to quit smoking at least once (18%)

Reduce the number of cigarettes smoked (15%)

Stop smoking (14%)

Why do participants (smokers) want to quit (top three)?

Health reasons 27%

Cost of smoking 21%

Family’s health 16%

What did people like about the programme?

Messages were encouraging 23%

Gave good advice 21%

Helped me think about friends and family (17%)

Did people quit smoking after receiving the messages?

38% Yes*

62% No

We estimate that there is a 12.3% chance of being a long-term quitter with the SMS programme compared to 2.2% for the no support group.

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Our challenge:

To design a compelling infographic poster / banner suitable for print or online. This will communicate the results of a pilot study programme from the University of Auckland Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences that aims to help tobacco smokers living in Samoa to quit the habit. It’s about informing and persuading.

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“Pacific Cessation Pilot Project”

The issue

The prevalence of smoking in Samoa and the resulting health consequences for the people affected.

The project

- Ministry of Health Samoa led project to determine the effect of providing personalised text message support to smokers to help them quit.

- 100 smokers recruited to participate in a three month trial to determine the impact of a text message smoking cessation support programme on quit rates. Smokers were recruited through workplaces in and around Apia.

- Text messages were designed specifically to meet the needs and preferences of Samoan smokers.

- Samoa Ministry of Health was the lead partner alongside Samoa Cancer Society and the World Health Organisation. Funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT NZ) and the Health Research Council NZ.

Process

Results

Majority of participants were male (60%) and lived in Apia (79%), were Digicel customers (70%) about equal proportions preferred Samoa (49%) over English messages.  

Only 55 of the original sample of 100 smokers have completed the programme – Digicel customers were unable to access messages for a period of time, this has been reinstated.

Feedback

What did Samoan smokers think about the programme?

Helped think and try to quit smoking at least once (18%)

Reduce the number of cigarettes smoked (15%)

Stop smoking (14%)

Why do participants (smokers) want to quit (top three)?

Health reasons 27%

Cost of smoking 21%

Family’s health 16%

What support has there been to quit smoking?

None (no support to quit) 60%

Gum (PK gum?) 17%

Counselling 14%

What makes it hard to quit smoking?

I have friends and family who smoke 27% (reduced to 13% after mCessation support)

I enjoy it too much 25% (increased to 33%)

I have too much stress in my life right now 20% (reduced to 9%)

What did people like about the programme?

Messages were encouraging 23%

Gave good advice 21%

Helped me think about friends and family (17%)

Did people quit smoking after receiving the messages?

38% Yes*

62% No

Efficacy

We estimate that there is a 12.3% chance of being a long-term quitter with the SMS programme compared to 2.2% for the no support group.

Estimated cost

The cost of delivering the programme to the total population of smokers:

(Total =193,000; tobacco use among male and female adults is approximately 32% = 16.580 x 20 tala for programme delivery = $331,606K – if all current smokers were will to quit (unlikely)!!!