Tobacco Cessation Texting Intervention for People Living With HIV Who Smoke in Vietnam

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS, WORCESTER · May 8, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study tests a text-message program to help people living with HIV (PLWH) in Vietnam quit smoking. In a randomized trial, about 600 adult smokers with HIV from clinics in Northern Vietnam will be assigned by chance to either the M2Q2-HIV intervention or a brief comparison text program. The intervention combines more support from community health workers, tailored peer messages, and texts designed to encourage using the national Quitline and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for 6 months. The comparison group gets five short, non-tailored health texts about smoking risks. The goal is to see if the new texting program helps people quit smoking better than the brief texts.

To be eligible, adults 18 or older with HIV who currently smoke and can read text messages can join (participants must be able to receive texts and be willing to consent). Exclusions include pregnancy or planning pregnancy in the next 6 months, major mental health issues, or being a family member of another participant. Participants will complete baseline surveys and a follow-up at 6 months. The main outcome is smoking cessation at 6 months, confirmed with a breath test (carbon monoxide) when possible. Researchers will also look at self-confidence to quit, experiences of HIV-related stigma, and use of the Quitline and NRT. If the intervention works, it could be adopted nationally in Vietnam to support quitting among PLWH.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Diagnosed HIV infection (prevalent and incident HIV).
• • 2. At least 18 years old.
• • 3. Current smoker.
• • 4. Be able to receive texts and read text (literate).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the next six months.
• • 2. Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent.
• • 3. Prior diagnosis of serious mental health illness.
• • 4. Smoker who helped develop the motivational texts used in the intervention (participated in Aim 1).
• • 5. Family member of another participant in the study.