Implementing Tobacco Use Treatment in HIV Clinics Vietnam

VQuit was a randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of tobacco cessation interventions among people living with HIV in Hanoi, Vietnam. The study was conducted in 13 outpatient HIV clinics in Hanoi; sites were eligible if they had at least 240 active patients and 4 providers, including a medical director. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were aged 18 or older, smoked at least one cigarette every day, lived in Hanoi, had a clinic visit in the last 12 months, and had daily access to a mobile phone that could receive text messages. Patients were excluded if they were currently using tobacco cessation medication, enrolled in a smoking cessation program (e.g., National Quitline), reported a contraindication to using nicotine gum, or were pregnant or breastfeeding.

The study compared three tobacco cessation interventions among adults living with HIV: proactive referral to Vietnam’s National Smokers’ Quitline counseling program (Quitline group); six-session counseling tailored to the needs of people living with HIV in Vietnam plus text messages (Counseling + SMS group); or counseling plus text messages plus six weeks of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (i.e., nicotine gum; Counseling + SMS + Gum group). Sociodemographic information (i.e., age, sex, education, and household income level), frequency and type of tobacco use (i.e., cigarettes, water pipe, e-cigarettes), alcohol and drug use, depression symptoms, overall health status, and nicotine dependence were assessed at baseline. Measures of self-efficacy, social support, social network beliefs regarding smoking, risk perception, and healthcare provider behavior were also assessed. After completing the baseline survey, participants (N = 672) were randomized into one of three study conditions in a 1:1:1 ratio; study participants, OPC health-care workers, and study staff were not blinded to group assignment. Follow-up surveys were conducted by telephone at 3 and 6 months after enrollment.

The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence abstinence among all randomly assigned patients at 6 months, confirmed via carbon monoxide test. Secondary outcomes included factors that influenced tobacco cessation and sustainability of interventions tested.