Search

Online data collection has become an extremely popular survey mode given its reduced cost, ease of administration, and timeliness. Although extensive research exists on the influence of e-mail invitation design characteristics to prompt survey participation, less is known about the effectiveness of e-mail reminders in prompting survey completion among nonresponders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether incorporating humor into e-mail reminders improved survey completion rates. Respondents from the Truth Initiative Young Adult Cohort (n = 2,963) who did not respond to the first standard e-mail invitation to complete their follow-up survey were randomly assigned to one of the three e-mail reminder groups: control (standard), humor only, or humor plus statistics. Those who received an initial humor plus statistics reminder e-mail received the humor only e-mail as their second reminder and vice versa. Logistic regression was used to generate the odds ratios (OR) for the probability of completing the survey after the first reminder. Results of multivariable models showed that, when collapsed together, the humor only and humor plus statistics e-mails were more effective than the control [adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.01, 1.49], p = .05]. Receiving the humorous e-mail as the first reminder increased the odds of response to the survey by 24% (AOR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.00, 1.54], p = .04). Those entering the study at an earlier wave, nonsmokers and those living in smaller households were more likely to respond after the first reminder. A humorous reminder tailored to the voice of the audience is an easy, efficient, and effective way to increase response rates among young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines patterns of menthol and nonmenthol cigarette use from 2003 to 2005 in a cohort of smokers, aged 16 to 24 years in the National Youth Smoking Cessation Survey. At follow-up, 15.0% of baseline menthol smokers had switched to nonmentholated cigarettes;by contrast, 6.9% of baseline nonmenthol smokers had switched to mentholated cigarettes. Differences in switching patterns were evident by gender, race/ethnicity, parental education, and smoking frequency. These data support previous evidence that young smokers start with mentholated cigarettes and progress to nonmentholated cigarettes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mass media campaigns can be an effective strategy to increase quitting activity among smokers, particularly when aired in the context of other anti-tobacco efforts. Design: A longitudinal study using data collected from smokers identified in a random-digit-dial survey of adults in Grand Rapids MI, prior to the campaign and approximately 6 months after the launch of the campaign. Setting/participants: Adult smokers who were interviewed in the fall of 2006 and agreed to participate in a follow-up interview approximately 6 months later (n=212). Intervention: A pilot mass media campaign, branded EX®, which used empathy to encourage smokers to “relearn” life without cigarettes, and focused on disassociating smoking from common activities that would otherwise function as smoking cues, such as driving or drinking coffee. The campaign averaged 100 targeted rating points per week on television. Main outcome measures: Primary outcome measures were five campaign-related cognitions and confidence in quitting. Secondary outcome measures were quitting behaviors. Results: This 2007 analysis suggests that the campaign generated a high level of awareness of EX, with 62% of the sample demonstrating confirmed awareness and 79% reporting aided awareness. Awareness of EX was associated with significant change in two of five campaign-related cognitions. Awareness was not associated with confidence in quitting or having made a quit attempt. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that a branded, empathetic media campaign that offers smokers practical advice on how to approach quitting can change cognitions related to successful cessation over a relatively short time period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]