Usability and cultural adaptation of a text message-based tobacco cessation intervention for people living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia​

Wipfli, H., Arinaitwe, J., Goma, F., Atuyambe, L., Guwatudde, D., Phiri, M. M., Rutebemberwa, E., Wabwire-Mangen, F., Zulu, R., Zyambo, C., Guy, K., Kusolo, R., Mukupa, M., Musasizi, E., & Tucker, J. S. (2025). Usability and cultural adaptation of a text message-based tobacco cessation intervention for people living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia. Addiction science & clinical practice, 20(1), 55.

LINK TO FULL PUBLICATION

ABSTRACT

Background: Text messaging-based interventions (TMIs) have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing tobacco use in many populations. However, such interventions have not been tailored to meet the complex medical and psychosocial factors confronting people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We describe the process of adapting the SmokefreeTXT message library so that it is applicable to all forms of tobacco use, addresses issues specifically facing PLWH who use tobacco, and is culturally appropriate for use in Uganda and Zambia.

Methods/design: Participants were PLWH who currently used tobacco and health services workers recruited from HIV clinics in two regions of Uganda and two regions of Zambia. Eight focus groups (N = 48) were conducted with PLWH tobacco users and four focus groups (N = 28) were conducted with healthcare providers to adapt the TMI content for the cultural context and HIV status. A subsample of PLWH focus group participants (N = 14) provided feedback on the adapted TMI after using it for three weeks on their own phone. Focus group transcripts were analyzed for key themes based on the moderator guides using Dedoose software™. Means and percentages were calculated for survey data to assess the TMI’s acceptability and feasibility.

Results: Focus group feedback on facilitators and barriers to quitting tobacco, as well as strengths and limitations of the TMI-based intervention approach, were used to finalize the adapted TMI’s content and delivery for usability testing. PLWH identified multiple barriers to quitting tobacco including addiction, lack of support and education, and community perceptions. Health service workers highlighted the need for community-level interventions, improved provider knowledge on tobacco cessation, and tailored support strategies. Usability testing participants rated the TMI as helpful and relevant, emphasizing the interactive features as supportive and beneficial. Further, they reported few problems using it over three weeks, except for difficulty keeping their phone charged.

Conclusions: Results suggest that an adapted version of SmokefreeTXT is a feasible and acceptable option for PLWH in Uganda and Zambia who are interested in quitting tobacco use.