Improving treatment for people with HIV who smoke and drink in Nairobi, Kenya
Official title: Optimizing Treatment of Co-occurring Smoking and Unhealthy Alcohol use among PWH in Nairobi, Kenya
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11535379 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests a new plan to help people with HIV in Nairobi quit smoking and reduce heavy drinking, using a low-cost medicine and counseling.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $320,999 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA288235-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11535379 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with HIV in Nairobi who smoke and drink heavily and are on antiretroviral therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without HIV, those who do not smoke or drink heavily, or those not on antiretroviral therapy may not benefit from this specific plan.
What this research studies
This project will run a 2-by-2 randomized trial with Kenyan adults living with HIV who smoke and drink heavily. Participants will receive either intensive counseling plus cytisine or counseling with a placebo, and will be compared to standard care, to see if the combination helps reduce tobacco and alcohol use. Cytisine is inexpensive and generally safe with HIV treatment, and the study aims to generate evidence that can be applied in similar settings in low- and middle-income countries. The team has long worked on tobacco treatment in Nairobi, and this trial could influence care for people with HIV and substance use in Kenya and beyond.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the plan could provide an effective, affordable option to reduce tobacco and alcohol use in people with HIV, potentially lowering cancer risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous tobacco treatment studies in people with HIV show promise, but data on combined tobacco and alcohol interventions in this population are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Himelhoch, Seth S — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Himelhoch, Seth S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Multi-omic insights into alcohol use disorder with and without smoking
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Better ways to help people with HIV in Kenya quit smoking and reduce drinking
This grant tests a plan to help people living with HIV in Nairobi quit smoking and cut back on alcohol by using cytisine and counseling.
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Treating smoking and unhealthy drinking for people with HIV in Nairobi
This project tests a combination of counseling and medication to help people with HIV in Nairobi who both smoke and drink cut down or quit.
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This project tries counseling plus or minus the medication bupropion to help people with HIV in Nairobi who smoke and misuse alcohol cut back or stop.
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Improving treatment for people with HIV who smoke and drink alcohol in Kenya
This study is looking for ways to help people living with HIV in Nairobi, Kenya, cut down or quit smoking and drinking alcohol by combining counseling and medication, so they can live healthier lives and lower their risk of serious diseases.
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A doctor-scientist team is testing blood biomarkers to better identify recent excessive alcohol use in veterans so clinicians can screen, counsel, and care for those at risk.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.