141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

281240
Formative evaluation of a text messaging intervention to promote cessation medication adherence among tobacco-dependent persons with HIV

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Paul Krebs, PhD , Department of Population Health, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
Tuo-Yen Tseng, MA , Department of Population Health, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
Hieu Pham, MSPH , Department of Population Health, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
Selena Wong, LCSW , Department of Population Health, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
Danielle Wright , Department of Population Health, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
Hannah Wolfe, PhD , Center for Comprehensive Care, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, NY
Donna Shelley, MD, MPH , Department of Population Health, NYU Medical Center, New York, NY
Introduction: Despite high motivation to quit smoking among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), research demonstrating effective approaches to treating nicotine dependence in this population is minimal. This study reports formative evaluation data from tobacco-dependent PLWHA (N=29) regarding a text message intervention to increase adherence to smoking cessation medication (Varenicline). Methods: Four focus groups were conducted using open-ended questions and survey measures to assess: a) beliefs and preferences regarding use of Varenicline, b) preferences for receiving tobacco-related texts, and c) acceptability of 100 draft text messages. Results: Themes that emerged from the focus groups were: 1) participants have misgivings and want to discuss Varenicline carefully with healthcare providers, 2) they prefer simple messages that were positive and encouraging, 3) messages should emphasize tobacco cessation and not Varenicline adherence, and 4) that texts would serve as a reminder about goals and foster support and connectedness with the healthcare team. Overall, 46 out of the 100 messages received a grade of C or less (rated on 5 point scale from A-F), the majority of which focused on medication adherence. All participants reported that they were likely to read the messages and 77% of the participants felt that the messages were designed for them or other people like them. A majority (64%) indicated that they preferred receiving 2 or more messages per day. Implications: Receiving participant feedback provides critical input in intervention planning. This program could offer significant value and fill a gap in smoking cessation research in this understudied high-risk population.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Identify beliefs and preferences regarding Varenicline as a cessation aid among HIV+ smokers. Assess feasibility, acceptability, and user preferences for text messaging design and content among tobacco dependent HIV+ smokers.

Keywords: Smoking, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Donna Shelley, MD, MPH is Associate Professor at New York University School of Medicine. Her research has been funded by AHRQ, NIH, and CDC and has focused on systems change to support optimal delivery of tobacco use treatment as well as the development of smoking cessation interventions for underserved populations. She has presented nationally and internationally on how to improve implementation of tobacco cessation guidelines.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.