Positively Smoke Free on the Web (PSFW) for Smokers Living With HIV

A Pilot Study of Positively Smoke Free on the Web (PSFW) for HIV-infected Smokers

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the first web-based cessation program developed expressly for people living with HIV who smoke tobacco. Main study goals are (1) to evaluate the website's feasibility (i.e., recruitment, adherence, retention, and satisfaction) and (2) to complete a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of the online program to standard care with a primary outcome of 3 month point-prevalence abstinence.

Positively Smoke Free on the Web is the first web-based cessation program developed expressly for people living with HIV (PLWH) who smoke tobacco. It is a resource that is ready for clinical use, but its feasibility and efficacy have yet to be studied. Main study goals are (1) to evaluate the website's feasibility (i.e., recruitment, adherence, retention, and satisfaction) in a cohort of 69 PLWH smokers, and (2) to complete a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of the online program to standard care (total N = 138) with a primary outcome of 3 month point-prevalence abstinence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Laboratory confirmation of HIV infection
• Montefiore Medical Center Infectious Disease Clinic patient
• Current tobacco user
• Affirmed motivation to quit within the next 6 months
• Have home access to the Internet
• Read above 4th grade level (by REALM)
• Willingness to grant informed consent and undergo randomization

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People with contraindications to nicotine replacement therapy
• People currently receiving other tobacco treatment
• Spouses, partners, and/or roommates of current study participants