A randomized trial for combination nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation among people with HIV in a low-resourced setting.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination nicotine replacement therapy (c-NRT) for smoking cessation among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa.

Design: We conducted an open label, individually randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Using a two-armed approach, PWH who smoke were randomized to receive either 1) intensive anti-smoking behavioral counseling (BC) or 2) intensive anti-smoking BC plus c-NRT (nicotine patches augmented by nicotine gum).

A cross-sectional study of attitudes and behaviors of snuff use and cessation among people with and without HIV in South Africa.

Background: Despite a high (48%) prevalence of snuff use among women with HIV in South Africa, little is known of the attitudes and behaviors of use, strategies for cessation, and potential health risks.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was administered to adults (≥18 years) with (HIV+) and without HIV (HIV-) who self-reported current snuff use to collect information on demographics, snuff use and cessation attempts, preferred strategies for cessation, other substance use, history of respiratory illness, and mental health.

Results: 150 (74 HIV+, 76 HIV-) participants were enrolled; 115 (77%) were daily snuff users, 6 (4%) were current smokers, and 17 (11%) former smokers.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cardiovascular, Pulmonary, Cancer, and Mental Health Comorbidities Among Adults With HIV Who Smoke.

Using data from the D.C. Cohort Longitudinal HIV Study, we examined (a) diagnosed mental health and (b) cardiovascular, pulmonary, or cancer (CPC) comorbidity among adults with HIV who smoked.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Nicotine Metabolite Ratio and Its Association with Sociodemographic and Smoking Characteristics among People with HIV Who Smoke in South Africa.

The nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR) is associated with race/ethnicity but has not been evaluated among smokers in the African region. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a large randomized, controlled trial for smoking cessation among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa. Urine samples were analyzed for the NMR and evaluated as a binary variable using a cutoff value of the fourth quartile to determine the fastest metabolizers.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of a tailored smoking cessation program for people living with HIV in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Objective: Morbidity and mortality from smoking-related diseases among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the U.S. surpasses that due to HIV itself.

Secure Delivery of HIV-Related and Tuberculosis Laboratory Results to Patient Cell Phones: A Pilot Comparative Study.

South Africa processes 5.1 million HIV CD4, viral load (VL), and tuberculosis (TB) tests annually. This pilot non-randomized trial in South Africa explored an intervention ("MatlaMobile") to deliver laboratory results via mobile phone.

Formative research for an mHealth program to improve the HIV care continuum in South Africa.

In South Africa, high attrition rates throughout the care continuum present major barriers to controlling the HIV epidemic. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions may provide innovative opportunities for efficient healthcare delivery and improving retention in care. In this formative research, we interviewed 11 patients and 28 healthcare providers in North West Province, South Africa, to identify perceived benefits, concerns and suggestions for a future mHealth program to deliver HIV Viral Load and CD4 Count test results directly to patients via mobile phone.

The association of household fine particulate matter and kerosene with tuberculosis in women and children in Pune, India.

Objectives: Household air pollution (HAP) is a risk factor for respiratory disease, however has yet to be definitively associated with tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to assess the association between HAP and TB.

Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted among adult women and children patients with TB and healthy controls matched on geography, age and sex.

COach2Quit: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Personal Carbon Monoxide Monitor for Smoking Cessation.

Introduction: Mobile phone-based messaging support and biomarker feedback independently show evidence of increasing an individual's likelihood of quitting smoking. However, the combination of these two strategies to facilitate smoking cessation has not been adequately explored.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Baltimore, Maryland, to assess the efficacy of COach2Quit, a smartphone application that provides exhaled carbon monoxide readings with message support.

Prevalence and Correlates of Snuff Use, and its Association With Tuberculosis, Among Women Living With HIV in South Africa.

Introduction: A higher proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) smoke compared to the general population, but little information exists about the prevalence and correlates of smokeless tobacco use among PLWH. In South Africa, dry powdered tobacco is inhaled nasally as snuff.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey among PLWH attending three HIV clinics was conducted.

Sources of household air pollution and their association with fine particulate matter in low-income urban homes in India.

Introduction: Household air pollution (HAP) is poorly characterized in low-income urban Indian communities.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire assessing sources of HAP and 24 h household concentrations of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM) were collected in a sample of low-income homes in Pune, India.

Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Validity of Self-Report in Low-Income Women and Children in India.

Background: There is limited validation of self-reported measures for secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in low- and middle-income countries. We evaluated the validity of standard self-reported measures among women and children in urban India.

Methods: Structured questionnaires were administered, and household air and hair samples were analyzed for nicotine concentration.

Indoor air pollution from secondhand tobacco smoke, solid fuels, and kerosene in homes with active tuberculosis disease in South Africa.

Objectives: Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS), use of solid fuels, and kerosene may play an important role in perpetuating the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of household air pollution (HAP) from these sources in homes of someone with TB in a high HIV-prevalence setting. A convenience sample of homes and household members participating in an ongoing active case-finding study in Matlosana district townships surrounding Klerksdorp, South Africa were included.

Prevalence and Correlates of Smoking Among People Living With HIV in South Africa.

Introduction: Smoking likely exacerbates comorbidities which people living with HIV (PLWH) are predisposed. We assessed prevalence and correlates of smoking among PLWH in South Africa, which has 7 million PLWH but inadequate reporting of smoking.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among randomly selected adults with HIV infection in Klerksdorp, South Africa.

Qualitative Exploration of a Smoking Cessation Trial for People Living With HIV in South Africa.

Introduction: In South Africa, people living with HIV have a high prevalence of smoking, which undermines the beneficial effects of antiretroviral therapy. However, little is known about barriers to smoking cessation and what interventions work for people living with HIV in this setting.

Methods: A randomized trial comparing intensive anti-smoking counseling versus counseling and nicotine replacement therapy was recently concluded in Klerksdorp, South Africa.

Unplanned cigarette purchases and tobacco point of sale advertising: a potential barrier to smoking cessation.

Background: In the USA, tobacco marketing expenditure is increasingly concentrated at the point of sale (POS). Previous studies have demonstrated an association between exposure to tobacco POS advertising and increased smoking initiation, but limited evidence is available on adult smokers' decisions and behaviours.

Methods: An immediate post-cigarette purchase survey was administered to 301 cigarette purchasers outside of two grocery stores in Vermont to assess the prevalence of unplanned purchases and opinions about POS tobacco advertising and displays.

Assessing secondhand smoke exposure with reported measures.

Non-smokers are exposed to tobacco smoke from the burning cigarette and the exhaled smoke from smokers. In spite of decades of development of approaches to assess secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe), there are still unresolved methodological issues. This manuscript summarises the scientific evidence on the use of SHSe reported measures and their methods, objectives, strengths and limitations; and discusses best practices for assessing behaviour leading to SHSe for lifetime and immediate or current SHSe.

Impact of tobacco control interventions on smoking initiation, cessation, and prevalence: a systematic review.

Background: Policymakers need estimates of the impact of tobacco control (TC) policies to set priorities and targets for reducing tobacco use. We systematically reviewed the independent effects of TC policies on smoking behavior.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE (through January 2012) and EMBASE and other databases through February 2009, looking for studies published after 1989 in any language that assessed the effects of each TC intervention on smoking prevalence, initiation, cessation, or price participation elasticity.

Nonobese diabetic mouse congenic analysis reveals chromosome 11 locus contributing to diabetes susceptibility, macrophage STAT5 dysfunction, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor overproduction.

Unstimulated monocytes of at-risk/type 1 diabetic humans and macrophages of the NOD mouse have markedly elevated autocrine GM-CSF production and persistent STAT5 phosphorylation. We analyzed the relationship between GM-CSF production and persistent STAT5 phosphorylation in NOD macrophages using reciprocal congenic mouse strains containing either diabetes-susceptible NOD (B6.NODC11), or diabetes-resistant C57L (NOD.