The PROMPT Pilot Study

Management and Point-of-Care for Tobacco Dependence (PROMPT): a Feasibility Mixed Methods Community-based Participatory Action Research Project in Ottawa, Canada

The PROMPT Pilot Study is a feasibility mixed methods prospective cohort study following principles of community-based participatory action research. The study recruited 80 people who use drugs and followed them for 6 months while providing access to counselling, nicotine replacement therapy and peer-support in a community setting. A notable reduction in average cigarette use per day (20.5 to 9.3) and illicit substance use (18.8%) was observed at study-end. PROMPT's patient engagement model is an effective harm-reduction strategy for the growing opioid use crisis and can improve the health outcomes of marginalised at-risk populations worldwide.

Objective To determine the feasibility of a Community-Based Participatory Tobacco Dependence Strategy (PROMPT) in the inner city population of Ottawa (Canada). Design A feasibility mixed methods prospective cohort study following principles of community-based participatory action research. Intervention Recruited 80 people who use drugs, followed them for 6 months while providing access to counseling, nicotine replacement therapy and peer-support in a community setting. Setting Community research office in downtown Ottawa, adjacent to low-income housing, shelter services and street-based drug consumption. Primary outcome Retention rate at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcome Biochemically validated 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence at 26 weeks, self-reported abstinence in the past 7 days with exhaled carbon monoxide ≤10 ppm.

80 participants who are homeless or at-risk for homelessness, smoke tobacco, and identify as People Who Use Drugs in Ottawa.

Access to a range of nicotine replacement therapy: nicotine patch, nicotine gum, nicotine lozenge, nicotine inhaler

Biochemically validated 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence at 26 weeks, self-reported abstinence in the past 7 days with exhaled carbon monoxide ≤10 ppm.

Inclusion Criteria: currently living in Ottawa for at least 3 months prior to enrolment 16 years or older have used drugs in the past year (excluding marijuana and alcohol) have smoked tobacco in the past 7 days Exclusion Criteria: consent declined (refusal from participant or decision maker) any person accessing addictions treatment (in-patient drug rehabilitation) and hence unavailable for follow-up any person currently or recently (in the past 30 days) enrolled in a smoking cessation program anyone with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of <3 months.

Data will be available upon request for the period decided necessary by the Principal Investigator and the inquiring researcher or researchers.

Will provide access in the manner decided by Principal Investigator and the inquiring researcher or researchers.

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Pakhale S, Tariq S, Huynh N, Jama S, Kaur T, Charron C, Florence K, Nur F, Bustamante-Bawagan ME, Bignell T, Boyd R, Haddad J, Kendzerska T, Alvarez G. Prevalence and burden of obstructive lung disease in the urban poor population of Ottawa, Canada: a community-based mixed-method, observational study. BMC Public Health. 2021 Jan 21;21(1):183. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10209-w.