Applying the health belief model to integrate vaccination and smoking cessation: experience from a rural public health center
Anna BARAN, Ayed EIYA, Matthieu CALAFIORE, Isabelle CHARDONNand and Jan BARAN
Low-motivation smokers rarely seek cessation care despite higher risks for respiratory infections and reduced vaccine effectiveness. Every October, the government provides publicly funded influenza, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines for high-risk groups. Using the Health Belief Model (HBM), we integrated vaccination visits with smoking cessation treatment to increase engagement.The intervention was conducted in a rural public health center. Starting in October 2023, smoking history was assessed during vaccination visits using the standard vaccination evaluation form, reflecting a workflow change that integrated cessation screening into routine vaccination encounters. Smokers received counseling on the health effects of smoking and its impact on vaccine-induced immunity. Those who expressed willingness to quit were provided smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare differences in smoking cessation treatment volume over the corresponding 30-week periods before and after the intervention.Vaccination encounters can be opportunities for brief cessation interventions, yet evidence on integrating government-funded vaccination services with structured cessation treatment is limited. Our experience provides real-world evidence of feasibility in a rural setting.From October 2022 to April 2023, 268 cessation visits were recorded (mean 8.9/week). From October 2023 to April 2024, 463 visits were recorded (mean 15.4/week), a statistically significant 72.8% increase after the intervention. Integrating cessation into vaccination visits is feasible and effective, engaging smokers who may not seek care, especially in rural areas with limited access to cessation services. This model could be expanded across other public health vaccination programs. Future workflow improvements may include automated reminders within the vaccination evaluation system. Practical challenges included increased staff workload during peak vaccination periods.When individuals receive vaccinations in healthcare facilities, the concurrent inquiry about smoking history and provision of cessation advice correspond to the “cues to action” construct within the HBM. This approach may enhance other HBM constructs, including “perceived severity” and “perceived susceptibility” regarding smoking risks, as well as strengthen understanding of the “perceived benefits” of smoking cessation.Integrating smoking cessation into vaccination visits significantly increased treatment utilization and engaged smokers who typically do not seek care. This HBM-based model is feasible, scalable, and promising for broader public health adoption.
