Effectiveness of non-pharmacological school-based therapies for cigarette smoking cessation among adolescents in South and Southeast Asian countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies delivered through school-based interventions for smoking cessation among adolescents in South and Southeast Asian countries.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, BioMed Central, the Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global from inception to October 2024. Eligible studies comprised randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies that compared non-pharmacological smoking cessation interventions delivered in schools or other educational institutions. Data on smoking abstinence outcomes were extracted from published studies, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using a random-effects model via the Mantel-Haenszel estimator.

Results: Seven studies involving 1,260 participants were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated that non-pharmacological school-based therapies significantly increased smoking abstinence compared to controls (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.83-4.40; p<0.001. Subgroup analyzes revealed benefits across both randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with varying abstinence rates. Studies utilizing biochemical verification showed significant positive effects despite substantial heterogeneity, and short-term (<3 months) abstinence was significantly higher in intervention groups compared to controls. Overall, no differences were found between subgroups regarding intervention effectiveness.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that non-pharmacological school-based interventions positively impact smoking abstinence rates, although effectiveness may vary based on study design, follow-up duration, and use of biochemical verification. The findings underscore the need for further research with larger sample sizes, extended follow-up periods, and improved methodological rigor in these regions.