# mHealth Messaging to Motivate Quitline use and Quitting among Persons Living With HIV in Vietnam (M2Q2-HIV)

> **NIH NIH U01** · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · 2022 · $709,076

## Abstract

7. PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
We propose M2Q2-HIV [mHealth Messaging to Motivate Quitline use and Quitting among Persons Living with
HIV (PLWH) in Vietnam (M2Q2-HIV)], an adaptation of our current computer-tailored smoking cessation
intervention in Vietnam. We seek to promote underused government resources for public health (quitline) and
nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) among PLWH in a sustainable manner. The intersection of smoking and
HIV/AIDS poses a serious public health threat in Vietnam. Vietnam is dealing with these two challenges with
parallel rather than integrated plans. Vietnam currently has 431 outpatient clinics for HIV testing, with 188 clinics
providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, covered by public insurance. Vietnam has setup telephone “quitline”
counseling with trained tobacco treatment specialists who also provide NRT. These clinical (HIV) and public
health resources (quitlines) are not connected, reducing both programs’ impact. To connect these resources, we
will adapt our current intervention for computer-tailored, text-based smoking cessation in Vietnam to be specific
to PLWH smoking behavior, for example, by addressing HIV stigma via developing motivational and tailored
messages written by PLWH smokers. To further increase message relevance for PLWH smokers, we will add a
computer-tailoring innovation: a machine-learning, collective intelligence system. Companies like Amazon use
collective intelligence systems to continuously learn and adapt to user feedback (e.g., pages liked, or products
purchased), thus, increasing message relevance. We developed the first collective intelligence system for
smokers. Our pilot data indicates that the ability to continuously learn may be even more beneficial for smokers
who are less ready to quit, such as like PLWH. We will test M2Q2-HIV by conducting a randomized control trial
with 600 PLWH smokers in two provinces in Northern Vietnam (26 clinics; 9,877 HIV patients). In Aim 1, we will
conduct formative work to prepare the M2Q2-HIV system for PLWH smokers. In Aim 2, we will randomize and
follow smokers for six months. Our effectiveness hypothesis will evaluate carbon monoxide (CO) verified, six-
month, seven-day point prevalence cessation. Process hypotheses will evaluate self-efficacy, quitline and NRT
use, and test our hypothesized model that specific measured processes will partially mediate observed
intervention effectiveness. Using qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and PLWH smokers, Aim 3 will
support nationwide M2Q2-HIV dissemination assessing acceptability and contextual factors guided by the
Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM). This project builds upon a long-standing,
successful collaboration between institutions in Vietnam (Ministry of Health, Bach Mai Quitline, Institute of
Population Health and Development, Hanoi Medical University) and UMMS. Our team has expertise in smoking
cessation, HIV intervention including stigma related to c...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10490356
- **Project number:** 5U01CA261604-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Hoa Nguyen
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $709,076
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-17 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10490356

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10490356, mHealth Messaging to Motivate Quitline use and Quitting among Persons Living With HIV in Vietnam (M2Q2-HIV) (5U01CA261604-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10490356. Licensed CC0.

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