Efficacy of Financial Incentives in Aiding Smoking Cessation among Pregnant Women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Research on the use of financial incentives in tobacco cessation is an emerging field that is based on the concept that providing rewards or reinforcers will increase the chance of drug-avoiding behavior. The current systematic review aimed to assess the available literature on the effectiveness of financial incentives in smoking cessation among pregnant women.

Materials and methods: The earliest date accessible up until November 30, 2023, was thoroughly searched in databases including Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, LILACS, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The review only comprised randomised controlled trials. Six full-text publications that met the requirements for eligibility underwent additional processing for data extraction, qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Results: The meta-analysis showed that financial incentives are more effective as compared to counselling alone in aiding smoking cessation among pregnant women with a 95% CI of odds ratio (OR): 2.59 [2.05, 3.26]; P=0.51; Test for heterogeneity: P<0.00001; I²=0%.

Conclusion: Financial incentives along with tobacco cessation counselling were found to be beneficial when it comes to helping pregnant smokers quit. However, in the postpartum period, a decrease in the cessation rates was observed. Therefore, the long-term effectiveness of financial incentives in smoking cessation needs to be assessed.