Harm reduction treatment for smoking (HaRT-S): findings from a single-arm pilot study with smokers experiencing chronic homelessness.
Subst Abus
; 40(2): 229-239, 2019.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30924732
ABSTRACT
Background:
Smoking prevalence and mortality is 5 times higher for the chronically homeless versus general population. Unfortunately, traditional smoking cessation treatment does not optimally engage this population. In a preliminary study, smokers experiencing chronic homelessness suggested providers avoid giving advice to quit and instead use a more compassionate, nonjudgmental style to discuss a broader menu of patient-driven options, including safer nicotine use. Most had negative perceptions of smoking cessation medications; however, 76% expressed interest in a switchover to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).Methods:
Using a community-based participatory research approach, we codeveloped harm-reduction treatment for smoking (HaRT-S) together with people with lived experience of chronic homelessness and smoking and a community-based agency that serves them. In HaRT-S, interventionists embody a compassionate, advocacy-oriented "heart-set" and deliver manualized components a) participant-led tracking of smoking-related outcomes, b) elicitation of harm-reduction goals and progress made toward them, c) discussion of relative risks of nicotine delivery systems, and d) distribution and instructions on use of safer nicotine products. We then conducted a single-arm, 14-week pilot of HaRT-S (N = 44).Results:
Participants rated procedures "totally acceptable/effective," which was reflected in 26% overrecruitment within a 4-month period and 70% retention at the 14-week follow-up. For each week in the study, participants experienced an 18% increase in odds of reporting 7-day, biochemically verified, point-prevalence abstinence. All participants reporting abstinence used ENDS. Participants evinced reductions in cigarette dependence (-45%), frequency (-29%), and intensity (-78%; ps < .05). Participants who used ENDS experienced an additional 44% reduction in smoking intensity and a 1.2-point reduction in dependence compared to participants who did not.Conclusions:
Harm-reduction counseling plus ENDS shows promise for smokers experiencing chronic homelessness. Randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the efficacy of this approach in decreasing smoking-related harm and improving health-related quality of life for this marginalized and disproportionately affected population.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Tabagismo
/
Pessoas Mal Alojadas
/
Redução do Dano
/
Sistemas Eletrônicos de Liberação de Nicotina
/
Vaping
/
Redução do Consumo de Tabaco
/
Fumar Cigarros
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Diagnostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article