Treating smoking and unhealthy drinking for people with HIV in Nairobi

Optimizing Treatment of Co-occurring Smoking and Unhealthy Alcohol use among PWH in Nairobi, Kenya

NIH-funded research University of Chicago · NIH-11392838

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.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11392838 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you live with HIV in Nairobi and both smoke and drink, this project offers counseling adapted to address both tobacco and alcohol use. Some participants may also receive bupropion as part of their care, and the research team will compare different combinations of counseling and medication. You would be randomly assigned to one of those combinations and followed over time to see whether smoking and drinking go down. The team has run related tobacco-treatment work in Nairobi before and is now adding alcohol-focused content.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults living with HIV in Nairobi who currently smoke and have unhealthy alcohol use are the ideal candidates for this project.

Not a fit: People without HIV, people who do not both smoke and drink, those living outside the Nairobi area, or those with medical reasons that prevent taking bupropion may not receive direct benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide counseling and medication options that help reduce smoking and unhealthy drinking and lower related health risks for people with HIV.

How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of the Positively Smoke Free counseling and of bupropion have helped people quit smoking, while combining that counseling with alcohol-focused content is a newer approach.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.