Research Study to Promote Smoking Cessation for Vietnamese Smokers

Thanh C. Bui, M.D., DrPH, a researcher at the TSET Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) on the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus, is enrolling 50 Vietnamese smokers into a smartphone-based study that promotes smoking cessation and cancer screening for U.S. Vietnamese smokers with limited English proficiency. Those who enroll in the study will be compensated up to $140 for their time.

The Insight mHealth platform being used in the study will allow Bui and his research team to reach participants through a mobile phone and deliver fully automated, interactive, personalized messages that aim to help participants to quit smoking. If participants do not have a smartphone, one can be provided for use during the study. All messaging through the mHealth application will be delivered in Vietnamese. Additionally, the study will provide nicotine patches to participants at no cost.

Among Asian populations in the U.S., Vietnamese have the second highest smoking prevalence (men, 24%–35%; women, 8%). Smoking prevalence is even higher among people with limited proficiency in the English language because they cannot fully utilize smoking-cessation resources that are available in English. Although smoking cessation resources are plentiful in the U.S., few are available in Vietnamese. Additionally, previous research studies have found that cancer prevention resources, including recommended cancer screenings, may be underutilized by Asian adults due to limited English proficiency.

The knowledge gained by this study will inform a much-needed smoking cessation treatment program that is offered in Vietnamese that can be used not only in the U.S., but in other countries.

Interested individuals may take a short survey to see if they qualify. The survey can be found at https://redcap.link/BoThuocLa-XoaUngThu. Potential participants may also call (405) 856-5524 or email capvie.researchstudy@gmail.com to learn more.

The TSET HPRC and its researchers are committed to addressing the health and social consequences that affect Oklahomans, ensuring all residents achieve positive health and social outcomes.

The HPRC receives funding from the OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center via an NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (P30CA225520) and the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust contract number R22-02. The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution. IRB#11937. The University does not endorse the use of tobacco products.