Supporting Organisation: Total Wellbeing Luton
About Deepshikha's fellowship project
Title: Explaining Engagement Trajectories in Stop Smoking Services: A Mixed-Methods Study Using Routine Data and Service User Experiences in Luton
Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable death in the UK, with rates disproportionately high in deprived communities such as Luton. Despite the availability of stop smoking services, engagement remains a significant challenge, with many service users disengaging before completing support. This fellowship project aims to examine patterns and determinants of engagement and disengagement with stop smoking services in Luton, and to explore opportunities to enhance engagement through service design and digital interventions.
Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, the study will analyse routine DCRS service data to identify engagement trajectories among completed, partial, and minimal engagers. This will be followed by semi-structured interviews with service users and practitioners to explore lived experiences of engagement and disengagement. Findings will be integrated using the COM-B behavioural framework.
The research will produce evidence-based recommendations for improving stop smoking service delivery in Luton, including the potential role of digital tools. The findings will be of direct relevance to service commissioners, public health practitioners, and policymakers working toward the government's Smoke-Free 2030 target.
Deepshikha's Supervisor:
Contact Deepshikha: Deepshikha.Ghimire@activeluton.co.uk