title: Project Exhale: preliminary evaluation of a tailored smoking cessation treatment for HIV-positive African American smokers.
abstract: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of a culturally tailored smoking cessation intervention for HIV-positive African American male smokers. Eligible smokers were enrolled in a seven-session group-based treatment combined with nicotine patch. The mean age of participants was M=46 years. The majority were daily smokers (71%), smoked a mentholated brand (80%), and averaged 8.6 (standard deviation [SD]=8.1) cigarettes per day. Baseline nicotine dependency scores (M=5.8) indicated a moderate to high degree of physical dependence. Of the 31 participants enrolled, the majority completed treatment (≥3 sessions; 68%), 1-month follow-up (74%), and 3-month follow-up (87%) interviews. Program acceptability scores were strong. However, adherence to the patch was low, with 39% reporting daily patch use. The majority of participants (80%, n=24) made a quit attempt. Furthermore, over the course of the intervention, smoking urge, cigarettes smoked, nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and depression scores all significantly decreased. Follow-up quit rates at 1 and 3 months ranged from 6% to 24%, with treatment completers having better outcomes. This first of its kind intervention for HIV-positive African American male smokers was feasible, acceptable, and showed benefit for reducing smoking behaviors and depression scores. Smoking cessation outcomes were on par with other similar programs. A larger trial is needed to address limitations and to confirm benefits.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Illinois, 845 South Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. Aliciak@uic.edu
authors.forename: Alicia K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kuhns
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D003151:Community Health Centers; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine