Original Research

Feasibility of implementing a novel behavioural smoking cessation intervention amongst human immunodeficiency virus-infected smokers in a resource-limited setting: A single-arm pilot trial

Billy M. Tsima, Precious Moedi, Joyce Maunge, Kitso Machangane, Martha Kgogwane, Tebogo Mudojwa, Joseph Bastian, Warren Bilker, Rebecca Ashare, Robert Schnoll, Robert Gross
Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine | Vol 21, No 1 | a1075; | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1075 | © 2020 Billy M. Tsima, Precious Moedi, Joyce Maunge, Kitso Machangane, Martha Kgogwane, Tebogo Mudojwa, Joseph Bastian, Warren Bilker, Rebecca Ashare, Robert Schnoll, Robert Gros | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 05 February 2020 | Published: 24 June 2020

About the author(s)

Billy M. Tsima, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana
Precious Moedi, Princess Marina Hospital, Dental Department, Gaborone, Botswana
Joyce Maunge, Botswana UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
Kitso Machangane, Botswana UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
Martha Kgogwane, Botswana UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
Tebogo Mudojwa, Botswana UPenn Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
Joseph Bastian, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
Warren Bilker, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
Rebecca Ashare, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
Robert Schnoll, Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America
Robert Gross, Department of Medicine (ID), Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use is prevalent amongst individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In resource-constrained settings, pharmacological smoking cessation interventions are unfeasible because of their high cost. There is a need to develop and evaluate behavioural interventions to address the unique challenges of tobacco use in the HIV-infected populations in these settings.

Objectives: The authors aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Behavioural Activation/Problem Solving for Smoking Cessation (BAPS-SC) intervention programme to determine whether it should be tested in an adequately powered randomised controlled trial.

Method: The authors merged behavioural activation therapy (BAT) with the principles of problem-solving therapy to create a novel five-session counselling model to address the unique challenges of tobacco cessation amongst those infected with HIV. Feasibility measures included the rate of enrolment amongst those eligible and the retention rate and descriptive analysis of intervention acceptability. The authors’ secondary outcome was 7-day point smoking prevalence abstinence, confirmed with breath carbon monoxide.

Results: A total of 128 individuals were screened over 8 weeks with 50 deemed eligible and 40 enrolled (80%). Retention at week 12 was 53% (21/40). The 7-day point prevalence abstinence, co-confirmed, at week 12 was 37.5% (15/40). All respondents indicated that they would recommend BAPS-SC to other smokers who want to quit, and would be willing to participate in the programme again up to the point of exit if they did not stop smoking.

Conclusion: A full-scale randomised control trial comparing BAPS-SC with usual practice is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of this novel intervention in these settings.


Keywords

smoking cessation; tobacco; behaviour activation; problem solving; HIV

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Crossref Citations

1. Tobacco Use and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence Among People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Practical Guide for Clinicians
Krishna P Reddy, Gina R Kruse, Stephanie Lee, Jonathan Shuter, Nancy A Rigotti
Clinical Infectious Diseases  vol: 75  issue: 3  first page: 525  year: 2022  
doi: 10.1093/cid/ciab1069