Comparing two types of counseling for quitting smoking in HIV-positive individuals in Botswana

Testing the Combination of Behavioral Activation and Problem Solving as a Novel Behavioral Smoking Cessation Intervention for Smokers With HIV in Botswana

Not applicable Interventional University of Pennsylvania · NCT04532970

This study is testing whether a new type of counseling can help HIV-positive individuals in Botswana quit smoking better than traditional counseling.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment650 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Pennsylvania Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gaborone)
Trial IDNCT04532970 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research compares traditional smoking cessation counseling with a novel approach called behavioral activation problem solving (BAPS) to determine which is more effective for helping HIV-positive individuals quit smoking. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either standard counseling or BAPS over five phone sessions within a nine-week period. The study will assess the effectiveness of these interventions by measuring smoking cessation rates and gathering personal information to tailor the counseling approach. Participants will not use any other smoking cessation treatments during the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are HIV-positive adults over 18 who smoke daily and are receiving care at Infectious Diseases Care Clinics in Gaborone.

Not a fit: Patients with cognitive deficits, untreated alcohol dependence, or those using other nicotine cessation treatments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective method for smoking cessation among HIV-positive individuals, improving their overall health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with behavioral interventions for smoking cessation, but the specific BAPS approach is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* \>18 years old
* Smoking cigarettes daily for the past 30 days
* HIV+ with HIV viral load of \<1000 copies/mL, obtained within the 6 months prior to enrollment
* Receiving HIV care at Infectious Diseases Care Clinics (IDCCs) in and around Gaborone
* Able to communicate in English OR Setswana and provide written informed consent
* Planning on residing in the geographic area for at least the next 7 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive deficits that impair their ability to provide informed consent
* Current untreated and unstable diagnosis of alcohol dependence (if past use and stable for \>30 days, eligible)
* Psychosis
* Use of chewing tobacco, snuff or snus
* Recent , current, or planned use (next 7 months) of nicotine substitutes or smoking cessation treatments

Where this trial is running

Gaborone

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HIV InfectionsSmoking CessationSmokingBotswanaSmoking cessationBAPSCounselingHIV
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.