Effects on time to lapse of switching menthol smokers to non-menthol cigarettes prior to a cessation attempt: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
pp. tobaccocontrol-2020-055689
Author(s):  
Michael Kotlyar ◽  
Ryan Shanley ◽  
Sheena R Dufresne ◽  
Gretchen A Corcoran ◽  
Kolawole S Okuyemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Menthol Cigarette ◽  
Menthol Cigarettes ◽  
Quitting Smoking ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Time To Relapse ◽  
Post Hoc

IntroductionMenthol smokers (particularly African-Americans) have lower cessation success rates than non-menthol smokers. With bans being considered on characterising menthol flavour in cigarettes, data are needed regarding how switching to non-menthol cigarettes impacts cessation measures.MethodsIn this randomised pilot study, African-American menthol cigarette smokers interested in quitting smoking either continued smoking menthol cigarettes (n=60) or switched to non-menthol cigarettes (n=62) for a 1-month period prior to a cessation attempt. The primary endpoint was time to smoking lapse (ie, time from quitting until any smoking). Additional endpoints included time to smoking relapse (ie, number of days from quitting until the first of seven consecutive smoking days) and difference between groups in subjective measures.ResultsAfter attempting to quit, the non-menthol cigarette group had indications of delayed time to lapse (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.22; p=0.33) and time to relapse (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.06; p=0.09), although these were not statistically significant. Post hoc analyses suggest that observed differences were largely due to a smaller proportion of participants in the non-menthol group relapsing within the first day of quitting (21% vs 40%; p=0.05). Values of other measures assessed postcessation were largely similar between groups.ConclusionsThese data suggest that among African-American smokers, a menthol cigarette ban would not undermine short-term cessation measures and may result in some benefits. Future research is needed to assess longer term cessation rates and to identify interventions to maximise cessation success in the event of a menthol ban.Trial registration numberNCT02342327.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Feasibility of Implementing an HIV Prevention Intervention for Incarcerated African American Men: Lessons Learned From a Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 822-830
Author(s):  
Carlos C. Mahaffey ◽  
Danelle Stevens-Watkins ◽  
A. Kathleen Burlew ◽  
Myles D. Moody ◽  
Paris B. Wheeler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Setting Time ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prison Setting ◽  
Hiv Intervention ◽  
Culturally Adapted

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of implementing an evidence-based, culturally adapted HIV intervention with substance-using African American men in a prison setting. We recruited 60, soon-to-be released African American male prisoners from a larger study ( N = 211) to be randomly selected for participation in the group-based HIV intervention, Real Men Are Safe–Culturally Adapted (REMAS-CA). Participants who were not selected for participation in the intervention received standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV prevention counseling education, provided during participant assessment in the larger study. Nearly all of the participants who were selected to participate (87%) completed the REMAS-CA intervention. To examine feasibility, data were collected about any revisions made to the HIV intervention components for the prison setting, time needed to implement the program in full, details of implementing the intervention to ensure participation and maintain retention, and participant perception of the intervention. Revisions to the intervention included reducing the number of sessions from five to three, modifying the protocol language based on the setting, and removing six activities deemed inappropriate and/or unallowable by the prison officials. The cultural considerations and intervention, overall, were well received by the participants. However, several revisions made specific to the prison and its administration could affect the potential effectiveness of the intervention. Future research is needed to determine the effectiveness of REMAS-CA among this community.

scholarly journals Menthol Cigarettes, Time to First Cigarette, and Smoking Cessation

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 4-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Sanders ◽  
Rolf Weitkunat ◽  
Ruth Dempsey
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
African American ◽  
Random Effects ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Menthol Cigarette ◽  
Menthol Cigarettes ◽  
Significant Difference

Summary The goal of the present work is to determine if menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers differ with respect to time to first cigarette (TTFC) and successful smoking cessation via a meta-analysis of published results. For 13 independent estimates, menthol smokers were slightly but statistically significantly more likely to exhibit TTFC ≤ 5 min (random-effects odds ratio (OR) = 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–1.21), while 17 independent estimates provided a non-significant difference for TTFC ≤ 30 min (random-effects OR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.96–1.16). For cessation studies, meta-analysis of 30 published estimates indicated a decreased likelihood for menthol cigarette smokers to quit (random-effects OR = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80–0.96). There was no difference between cessation rates for Caucasian menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers, but the results support that African American menthol cigarette smokers find it more difficult to quit. Adjustment of cessation for socioeconomic status eliminated any statistically significant advantage for smoking cessation in non-menthol smokers. In conclusion, these results suggest that the observed differences in cessation rates between menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers are likely explained by differences in socioeconomic status and also suggest that TTFC may not be a robust predictor of successful smoking cessation.

A Pilot Study of Mobile Telephone Message Interventions with Suicide Attempters in China

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Brian L. Mishara ◽  
Xiao Xian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quick Method ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
To Receive

Background: In China, where follow-up with hospitalized attempters is generally lacking, there is a great need for inexpensive and effective means of maintaining contact and decreasing recidivism. Aims: Our objective was to test whether mobile telephone message contacts after discharge would be feasible and acceptable to suicide attempters in China. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from suicide attempters seen in the Emergency Department in Wuhan, China, to participate in a pilot study to receive mobile telephone messages after discharge. All participants have access to a mobile telephone, and there is no charge for the user to receive text messages. Results: Most participants (12) considered the text message contacts an acceptable and useful form of help and would like to continue to receive them for a longer period of time. Conclusions: This suggests that, as a low-cost and quick method of intervention in areas where more intensive follow-up is not practical or available, telephone messages contacts are accessible, feasible, and acceptable to suicide attempters. We hope that this will inspire future research on regular and long-term message interventions to prevent recidivism in suicide attempters.

Suicide after Deployment in UN Peacekeeping Missions—A Danish Pilot Study

Crisis ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hansen-Schwartz ◽  
G. Jessen ◽  
K. Andersen ◽  
H.O. Jørgensen
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Un Peacekeeping ◽  
Peacekeeping Missions

Summary: This pilot study looks at the frequency of suicide among Danish soldiers who took part in the UN mandated forces (UNMF) during the 1990's. In a contingent of nearly 4000 Danish UN soldiers four suicides were documented, two of whom committed suicide less than one month before deployment and two who committed suicide within a year after discharge from mission. Contributing factors, prevention strategies, and implications for future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Cohort profile of Acutelines: a large data/biobank of acute and emergency medicine

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. e047349
Author(s):  
Ewoud ter Avest ◽  
Barbara C van Munster ◽  
Raymond J van Wijk ◽  
Sanne Tent ◽  
Sanne Ter Horst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Large Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Novel Studies ◽  
Long Term Follow Up ◽  
Registration Number

PurposeResearch in acute care faces many challenges, including enrolment challenges, legal limitations in data sharing, limited funding and lack of singular ownership of the domain of acute care. To overcome these challenges, the Center of Acute Care of the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, has established a de novo data, image and biobank named ‘Acutelines’.ParticipantsClinical data, imaging data and biomaterials (ie, blood, urine, faeces, hair) are collected from patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with a broad range of acute disease presentations. A deferred consent procedure (by proxy) is in place to allow collecting data and biomaterials prior to obtaining written consent. The digital infrastructure used ensures automated capturing of all bed-side monitoring data (ie, vital parameters, electrophysiological waveforms) and securely importing data from other sources, such as the electronic health records of the hospital, ambulance and general practitioner, municipal registration and pharmacy. Data are collected from all included participants during the first 72 hours of their hospitalisation, while follow-up data are collected at 3 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years after their ED visit.Findings to dateEnrolment of the first participant occurred on 1 September 2020. During the first month, 653 participants were screened for eligibility, of which 180 were approached as potential participants. In total, 151 (84%) provided consent for participation of which 89 participants fulfilled criteria for collection of biomaterials.Future plansThe main aim of Acutelines is to facilitate research in acute medicine by providing the framework for novel studies and issuing data, images and biomaterials for future research. The protocol will be extended by connecting with central registries to obtain long-term follow-up data, for which we already request permission from the participant.Trial registration numberNCT04615065.

scholarly journals Understanding low chemoprevention uptake by women at high risk of breast cancer: findings from a qualitative inductive study of women’s risk-reduction experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasleem J. Padamsee ◽  
Megan Hils ◽  
Anna Muraveva
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
African American ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
White Women ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Critical Gap ◽  
High Risk Women ◽  
Parent Project

Abstract Background Chemoprevention is one of several methods that have been developed to help high-risk women reduce their risk of breast cancer. Reasons for the low uptake of chemoprevention are poorly understood. This paper seeks a deeper understanding of this phenomenon by drawing on women’s own narratives about their awareness of chemoprevention and their risk-related experiences. Methods This research is based on a parent project that included fifty in-depth, semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of African American and White women at elevated risk of breast cancer. This specific study draws on the forty-seven interviews conducted with women at high or severe risk of breast cancer, all of whom are eligible to use chemoprevention for breast cancer risk-reduction. Interviews were analyzed using grounded theory methods. Results Forty-five percent of participants, and only 21% of African American participants, were aware of chemoprevention options. Women who had seen specialists were more likely to be aware, particularly if they had ongoing specialist access. Aware and unaware women relied on different types of sources for prevention-related information. Those whose main source of information was a healthcare provider were more likely to know about chemoprevention. Aware women used more nuanced information gathering strategies and worried more about cancer. Women simultaneously considered all risk-reduction options they knew about. Those who knew about chemoprevention but were reluctant to use it felt this way for multiple reasons, having to do with potential side effects, perceived extreme-ness of the intervention, similarity to chemotherapy, unknown information about chemoprevention, and reluctance to take medications in general. Conclusions Lack of chemoprevention awareness is a critical gap in women’s ability to make health-protective choices. Future research in this field must consider complexities in both women’s perspectives on chemoprevention and the reasons they are reluctant to use it.

scholarly journals Mucosa plication reinforced colorectal anastomosis and trans-anal vacuum drainage: a pilot study with preliminary results

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Ferko ◽  
Juraj Váňa ◽  
Marek Adámik ◽  
Adam Švec ◽  
Michal Žáček ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Povidone Iodine ◽  
Anal Verge ◽  
Colorectal Anastomosis ◽  
Stapled Anastomosis ◽  
Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy ◽  
Lower Upper ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Diversion Rate

AbstractDehiscence of colorectal anastomosis is a serious complication that is associated with increased mortality, impaired functional and oncological outcomes. The hypothesis was that anastomosis reinforcement and vacuum trans-anal drainage could eliminate some risk factors, such as mechanically stapled anastomosis instability and local infection. Patients with rectal cancer within 10 cm of the anal verge and low anterior resection with double-stapled technique were included consecutively. A stapler anastomosis was supplemented by trans-anal reinforcement and vacuum drainage using a povidone-iodine-soaked sponge. Modified reinforcement using a circular mucosa plication was developed and used. Patients were followed up by postoperative endoscopy and outcomes were acute leak rate, morbidity, and diversion rate. The procedure was successfully completed in 52 from 54 patients during time period January 2019–October 2020. The mean age of patients was 61 years (lower–upper quartiles 54–69 years). There were 38/52 (73%) males and 14/52 (27%) females; the neoadjuvant radiotherapy was indicated in a group of patients in 24/52 (46%). The mean level of anastomosis was 3.8 cm (lower–upper quartiles 3.00–4.88 cm). The overall morbidity was 32.6% (17/52) and Clavien–Dindo complications ≥ 3 grade appeared in 3/52 (5.7%) patients. No loss of anastomosis was recorded and no patient died postoperatively. The symptomatic anastomotic leak was recorded in 2 (3.8%) patients and asymptomatic blind fistula was recorded in one patient 1/52 (1.9%). Diversion ileostomy was created in 1/52 patient (1.9%). Reinforcement of double-stapled anastomosis using a circular mucosa plication with combination of vacuum povidone-iodine-soaked sponge drainage led to a low acute leak and diversion rate. This pilot study requires further investigation.Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov.: Trial registration number is NCT04735107, date of registration February 2, 2021, registered retrospectively.

scholarly journals Sociodemographic Patterns of Exclusive and Dual Use of ENDS and Menthol/Non-Menthol Cigarettes among US Youth (Ages 15–17) Using Two Nationally Representative Surveys (2013–2017)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7781
Author(s):  
Akash Patel ◽  
Jana L. Hirschtick ◽  
Steven Cook ◽  
Bukola Usidame ◽  
Ritesh Mistry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Household Income ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
The United States ◽  
Tobacco Prevention ◽  
Dual Use ◽  
Parental Education Level ◽  
Menthol Cigarette ◽  
Menthol Cigarettes ◽  
Current Cigarette ◽  
Nationally Representative

The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among youth in the United States has increased rapidly in the past decade. Simultaneously, while youth cigarette smoking has declined considerably, youth are still more likely to use menthol cigarettes than any other age group. We used nationally representative data on 15–17-year-olds from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study and the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) (2013–2017) to better understand current cigarette (by menthol flavoring) and ENDS use in the US. We calculated weighted population prevalence estimates across years for multiple patterns of current cigarette and ENDS use (i.e., exclusive menthol cigarette, exclusive non-menthol cigarette, exclusive ENDS, dual ENDS and menthol cigarette, and dual ENDS and non-menthol cigarette) by sex, race/ethnicity, parental education level, household income, and homeownership. Overall, both exclusive menthol and non-menthol cigarette use declined from 2013–2017. Exclusive ENDS use increased, particularly among youth who were non-Hispanic White or had a higher socioeconomic status (measured by parental education, household income, and homeownership). Dual use of ENDS with either menthol or non-menthol cigarettes did not change significantly. Monitoring changes in these sociodemographic patterns will help inform future youth tobacco prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Feasibility of a Digital Intervention to Promote Healthy Weight Management among Postpartum African American/Black Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2178
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Napolitano ◽  
Cherise B. Harrington ◽  
Loral Patchen ◽  
Lindsey P. Ellis ◽  
Tony Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Black Women ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Weight Outcomes ◽  
Postpartum Weight ◽  
American Black

The study aim was to implement and evaluate the feasibility of a culturally informed (“BeFAB”) app for African American/Black women to address postpartum weight. Women (n = 136; mean age = 27.8 ± 5.4; mean BMI = 32.5 ± 4.3) were recruited from postpartum units, and randomly assigned to receive BeFAB (n = 65) or usual care (n = 71) for 12 weeks. App content included didactic lessons delivered via a virtual coach, app-based messages, goal setting and tracking, and edutainment videos. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention and engagement, and self-reported acceptability. Behavioral (i.e., diet, physical activity), psychosocial (i.e., stress, coping, support, self-efficacy) and weight outcomes were also examined. Recruitment goals were met, but attrition was high, with 56% retention at 12 weeks. Approximately half of participants accessed the app and set a goal ≥one time, but <10% reported achieving a nutrition or activity goal. Among study completers, ≥60% found the app content at least somewhat helpful. Within-group changes for BeFAB among completers were found for increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and decreased fruit/vegetable intake and weight. Findings indicate initial feasibility of recruiting postpartum women to participate in a digital healthy body weight program but limited use, reflecting low acceptability and challenges in engagement and retention. Future research is needed on strategies to engage and retain participants in postpartum interventions.

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