Empowering Cessation ACS South Region

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA · Feb 5, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Empowering Cessation ACS South Region" clinical trial is focused on helping people from sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) communities to quit smoking. This group often faces higher risks for health problems like cancer, partly due to tobacco use, especially in areas where they experience stigma or discrimination. The trial aims to test a smoking cessation program tailored for SGM individuals living in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Researchers will work closely with local organizations to adapt and deliver this program, which includes participating in volunteer activities that support the community.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be at least 18 years old, identify as part of the SGM community, currently smoke cigarettes, and be willing to quit within 30 days of joining. They should also have regular internet access and own a smartphone. Participants will not be able to join if they are currently using other smoking cessation treatments or have serious psychological distress. If you decide to participate, you'll engage in a program designed to help you quit smoking while also connecting with others in your community. The trial is not yet recruiting, but it represents an important step in addressing smoking-related health disparities in SGM populations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Exclusion criteria:
• • Currently using other smoking cessation treatments.
• • Unable or unwilling to use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
• • Serious psychological distress (i.e., score of 13 ≥ 18 on the Kessler Psychological Distress (PD) Scale-6 19)
• Inclusion criteria will be:
• • 1. ≥ 18 years old
• • 2. sexual and/or gender minority-identified (SGM) (see definition below)
• • 3. living in Oklahoma, Texas, or Arkansas (verified by address)
• • 4. a current cigarette smoker (see definition)
• • 5. willing to quit smoking within 30 days of enrollment (see definition)
• • 6. ability to read and speak English 'well' or 'very well'
• • 7. ≥ weekly internet access
• • 8. willing and able to participate in SGM-serving volunteer activities.
• • 9. own a smartphone
• • Sexual minority identity will be indicated by selecting any non-heterosexual response option(s) from: Heterosexual (Straight); Gay or Lesbian; Bisexual; Something else (please state)." Participants will indicate the sex assigned on their birth certificate (i.e., natal sex). Gender minority identity will be indicated by "Trans male/Trans man;" "Trans female/Trans woman;" "Gender queer/Gender non-conforming;" "Different identity (please state)" or a binary identity (male or female) non-concordant with natal sex.
• • Current cigarette smoking will be indicated by ≥100 lifetime cigarettes and currently smoking cigarettes "every day" or "some days".
• • High SGM stigma states are defined as the 22 states wherein ˂60% of the population 'thinks that homosexuality should be accepted'. High SGM stigma municipalities are defined as one of the 246 U.S. municipalities (out of the 496 scored from all U.S. states) that scored below the median (71) on the HRC Municipal Equality Index.
• • Willingness to quit smoking will be assessed with a single item: "Are you willing to quit smoking cigarettes within 30 days after enrolling in this study? (yes/no)". To be classified as 'ready to quit smoking,' participants will report readiness to quit in the next 30 days and at least 1 past-year quit attempt (i.e., in the "Preparation" stage of change).