Acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of mobile SMS-based psychoeducational intervention targeting substance use among Jimma University students: quasi-experimental study

Introduction Substance use among university students poses a significant public health challenge, leading to negative health outcomes and impaired academic performance. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions, particularly SMS-based psychoeducational messaging, offer a promising strategy for addressing this issue. However, the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of such interventions within this population remain underexplored.Methods This quasi-experimental study recruited 140 substance-using students from a higher education institution using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participants were assigned to an intervention group (n = 70), which received a three-month mobile health cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-informed psychoeducational text messaging program, or a control group (n = 70) that received no intervention.Results Findings indicated that the mHealth intervention was well-received across key implementation metrics. The Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) averaged 4.2 (SD = 0.6), demonstrating strong approval. The Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) scored 4.0 (SD = 0.7), reflecting perceived relevance to substance use issues. Feasibility was also rated positively, with a Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM) mean of 3.8 (SD = 0.8), indicating practicality in participants’ daily lives.Conclusions This study suggests that a low-cost, SMS-based psychoeducational intervention is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible for university students. These findings support scaling such interventions to reduce substance use and promote healthier academic environments.