HIV & Smoking Research Study
Researchers at New York University are conducting the MOST QUITS study to test different smoking cessation supports designed specifically for people living with HIV who smoke cigarettes in the New York City area.
Fast Facts
Receiving clinical care for HIV
Smoke cigarettes regularly
Compensation
Provided Up To $330
Conducted in
New York City
Study Background
People living with HIV smoke at much higher rates than the general population, increasing the risk of serious health complications.
Cigarette smoking is two to three times more common among people living with HIV and is linked to cancer, heart disease, other health problems, and early death. Although many people living with HIV want to quit cigarettes, there are unique challenges that can make quitting harder, and effective long-term treatments designed for this community are still limited.
The MOST QUITS study is testing four smoking cessation supports: supportive phone counseling, peer mentoring, text messaging, and combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Participants are randomly assigned, like a coin flip, to receive different combinations of these supports, ranging from none to several. By testing these approaches alone and together, researchers aim to find the combination that works best and can be offered in HIV care settings.
Study Background
People living with HIV smoke at much higher rates than the general population, increasing the risk of serious health complications.
Cigarette smoking is two to three times more common among people living with HIV and is linked to cancer, heart disease, other health problems, and early death. Although many people living with HIV want to quit cigarettes, there are unique challenges that can make quitting harder, and effective long-term treatments designed for this community are still limited.
The MOST QUITS study is testing four smoking cessation supports: supportive phone counseling, peer mentoring, text messaging, and combination nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Participants are randomly assigned, like a coin flip, to receive different combinations of these supports, ranging from none to several. By testing these approaches alone and together, researchers aim to find the combination that works best and can be offered in HIV care settings.
Additional Information
This study aims to find the best ways to help people living with HIV quit smoking and to develop a program that can be offered in HIV care settings.
You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Living with HIV
- Receive clinical care for HIV
- Smoke cigarettes regularly
- Live in New York City area
If you enroll, you will:
Complete a phone screening to confirm eligibility.
Attend 4 required in-person visits in the NYC area:
Screening visit (about 30 minutes)
Baseline/enrollment visit (about 2 to 2.5 hours)
Three follow-up visits over 6 to 9 months (about 1 to 1.5 hours each)
Complete surveys about your health, smoking, and study experiences.
Receive different smoking cessation services depending on your random assignment. These may include supportive cessation counseling (by phone or Zoom), peer mentoring sessions (phone, Zoom, or in person), text messaging and/or combination nicotine replacement therapy (patch and lozenges).
All study activities outside of the 4 in-person visits can be completed virtually if desired.
Participants can earn up to $330 for completing all study visits:
$65 after the baseline survey
$70 after the second survey
$75 after the third survey
$80 after the fourth survey
Opportunity to earn more for referring eligible individuals to the study
Participants who bring documentation to the screening visit receive $30. Participants who come to their first in-person visit without re-scheduling receive an additional $10.
You will also receive $6 per visit to cover round-trip subway or bus fare.
Compensation is available as cash, a study-provided debit card, or an Amazon electronic gift card.
At in-person visits, coffee, tea, water, and snacks are provided.
There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.