Kuyeka!: An Open Pilot of a Smoking Cessation and TB Treated Adherence Intervention for People Living with HIV in Khayelitsha, South Africa
1
Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, United States
2
Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, United States
3
Psychology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
4
Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
5
Pulmonology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2564
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Smoking is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH) and tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa, particularly among individuals evaluated for TB in Cape Town, highlighting the need for integrated smoking cessation and TB treatment adherence support. Kuyeka! (“to stop” in isiXhosa) adapts QUIT, a US smoking cessation intervention for PLWH and was refined with input from people who smoke and have HIV/TB in Khayelitsha and providers.
METHODS:
We are conducting an open pilot, consisting of five weekly sessions, one booster session along with 2-month follow-up. Sessions introduce smoking cessation skills, including setting a quit date, managing high-risk situations, and coping with cravings, alongside problem-solving strategies to support TB treatment adherence. Participants are screened at two clinics in Khayelitsha for eligibility. Enrolled participants complete baseline, intervention sessions, and follow-up, with ongoing monitoring of feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity.
RESULTS:
To date, 29 individuals were screened; 8 were eligible, with all exclusions due to non-smoking. All eligible participants reported smoking at least 4 days in the prior week. Half reported high motivation to quit smoking, but none had previously attempted quitting. The sample includes 4 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 44.7 years (SD=9.8); six participants identify as Black and two as Coloured. At this interim analysis, all enrolled participants completed baseline and at least one session, with one completing the intervention. One individual was lost to follow-up after session 0. Participants report high acceptability and request SMS reminders to support home practice assignments. Based on current feedback and team review, adaptations include emphasizing cigarette reduction for participants with lower readiness to quit and adding TB smear and culture testing to confirm TB status. Intervention fidelity remains high.
CONCLUSIONS:
Preliminary findings suggest Kuyeka! is feasible and acceptable. Ongoing refinements will inform the forthcoming randomized controlled trial.
Smoking is highly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH) and tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa, particularly among individuals evaluated for TB in Cape Town, highlighting the need for integrated smoking cessation and TB treatment adherence support. Kuyeka! (“to stop” in isiXhosa) adapts QUIT, a US smoking cessation intervention for PLWH and was refined with input from people who smoke and have HIV/TB in Khayelitsha and providers.
METHODS:
We are conducting an open pilot, consisting of five weekly sessions, one booster session along with 2-month follow-up. Sessions introduce smoking cessation skills, including setting a quit date, managing high-risk situations, and coping with cravings, alongside problem-solving strategies to support TB treatment adherence. Participants are screened at two clinics in Khayelitsha for eligibility. Enrolled participants complete baseline, intervention sessions, and follow-up, with ongoing monitoring of feasibility, acceptability, and fidelity.
RESULTS:
To date, 29 individuals were screened; 8 were eligible, with all exclusions due to non-smoking. All eligible participants reported smoking at least 4 days in the prior week. Half reported high motivation to quit smoking, but none had previously attempted quitting. The sample includes 4 men and 4 women, with a mean age of 44.7 years (SD=9.8); six participants identify as Black and two as Coloured. At this interim analysis, all enrolled participants completed baseline and at least one session, with one completing the intervention. One individual was lost to follow-up after session 0. Participants report high acceptability and request SMS reminders to support home practice assignments. Based on current feedback and team review, adaptations include emphasizing cigarette reduction for participants with lower readiness to quit and adding TB smear and culture testing to confirm TB status. Intervention fidelity remains high.
CONCLUSIONS:
Preliminary findings suggest Kuyeka! is feasible and acceptable. Ongoing refinements will inform the forthcoming randomized controlled trial.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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