Feasibility and Acceptability of Mobile Health Interventions for Smoking Cessation in Botswana: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Smokers
Kaizer Ikgopoleng, Lillian Okui, Robert Moumakwa, Selebaleng Simon Mokonopi, Mpho Zwinila, Manhattan Charurat, Bontle Mbongwe, Ndwapi NdwapiPURPOSE
Tobacco use remains high and is a major contributor to preventable morbidity and mortality in Botswana, with limited access to effective smoking cessation support. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions offer a promising strategy to expand access to cessation services. We assessed the feasibility and perceived acceptability of mHealth interventions for smoking cessation among smokers in Botswana.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2025 among 224 self-reported smokers recruited from ten public health facilities participating in the National Institutes of Health funded Botswana Smoking Abstinence Reinforcement Trial. The survey assessed access to mobile technology, feasibility and acceptability of mHealth interventions for smoking cessation, and preferences for specific modalities, content, and features. Descriptive statistics were used, and rural–urban differences were assessed using Fisher’s exact tests.
RESULTS
Participants were predominantly male (92.4%) and aged ≥36 years (74.1%), with 77.7% from rural settings. Overall, 60.7% owned a smartphone (feasibility), 82.4% of them had internet access, with no significant differences by rural–urban status. Interest in mHealth-based cessation support was high (acceptability), with 83.9% willing to participate; willingness was higher among urban participants (90.0%
CONCLUSION
mHealth interventions for smoking cessation appear to be feasible and acceptable among smokers in Botswana. High willingness to engage, coupled with a strong preference for simple, low-cost platforms such as SMS and WhatsApp, highlights an opportunity to expand cessation support. Integrating tailored, interactive mHealth strategies into existing programs may improve reach of smoking cessation services in Botswana.