Development and Beta Test of a Faith-Based Facebook Intervention for Smoking Cessation in Rural Communities (FAITH-CORE) (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Rural communities experience significant health inequities regarding tobacco use and access to cessation treatment due to geographic barriers and infrastructure limitations. Social media and other digital platforms offer promising avenues to improve access and overcome engagement challenges in tobacco cessation efforts for rural populations. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and beta-test a social media intervention prototype (FaithCore) delivered through a Facebook group specifically designed for rural smokers seeking evidence-based smoking cessation resources. METHODS We developed a culturally and faith-aligned Facebook group intervention (FaithCore) tailored to promote the use of smoking cessation resources among rural smokers. The principles of community-based participatory research (CBPR) informed the intervention content and engagement strategies. A beta test was conducted with a sample of rural smokers to assess the intervention's usability, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. RESULTS The beta-test results indicated that the FaithCore intervention was perceived as helpful, easy to understand, and effective in achieving its intended goals. Notably, 90% of participants reported attempting to quit smoking, and 90% reported utilizing or seeking the cessation resources discussed within the group. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that social media group interventions, incorporating culturally and faith-aligned content and engagement strategies delivered by trained moderators, hold promise for promoting smoking cessation in rural communities. Future research will involve a large pilot trial to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness on smoking cessation outcomes.