Effectiveness of the Internet-Based Versus Face-to-Face Interaction on Reduction of Tobacco Use Among Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Literature reported the effectiveness of internet-based interventions over face-to-face interaction on tobacco quitting; however, limited sample size reinforces to integrate and analyze these studies' findings to reach a single conclusion. Therefore, we evaluated the effectiveness of the internet as an intervention approach versus face-to-face interaction on reducing tobacco use among adults. A systematic search was performed through various electronic databases such as Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and Academia. Reference lists of the eligible articles were also screened. Full-text articles were included as per eligibility criteria (PICO framework). No ethnicity restriction was applied. A total of 13 studies were selected for meta-analysis, with 3852 and 3908 participants in intervention and control groups, respectively. Forest plot favours the intervention group at one month follow up for tobacco quitting (OR: 2.37, CI: 1.86-3.02, P=0.00001, I2=0%), at three months (OR: 1.88, CI: 1.48-2.40, P=0.00001, I2=42%) at six months (OR: 2.02, CI: 1.64-2.50, P=0.00001, I2=38%) and at one year of follow-up (OR: 1.43, CI: 1.18-1.74, P=0.00001, I2=36%) comparing to control group. Conclusively, internet and web-based interventions are highly useful in tobacco quitting at one month, three months, six months, and one year of follow-up compared to face-to-face interaction or no intervention, although the level of evidence was moderate. Additionally, limited trials in developing countries, arising need for research on internet use for tobacco control in developing countries.