BSMART Training Held at IHV Baltimore

In February 2024, partners from Botswana and Kenya conducted training at the Institute of Human Virology in Baltimore, Maryland for Botswana Smoking Abstinence Reinforcement Trial (BSMART) training. The training aimed to address modifiable risk factors associated with leading causes of death among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). Many PLWH who smoke and express a desire to quit but require assistance to do so effectively. In recognition of this challenge, the Botswana Smoking Abstinence Reinforcement Trial (BSMART) was initiated to help address tobacco addiction within Botswana’s HIV care system. 

Funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute, BSMART is a collaboration involving different stakeholders from the Botswana Ministry of Health, the University of Botswana, the Botswana University of Maryland Health Initiative, the University of Maryland Baltimore, and the University of Kentucky. 

The meeting served as a platform for Implementation Leaders to learn about Intervention components such as SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) and the prescription and use of varenicline. Additionally, a collaborator from Ciheb Kenya shared practical insights from a similar study, enriching the discussion with real-world experiences. 

The meeting yielded significant accomplishments, including reinforced collaboration with the Botswana Ministry of Health and the refinement of the study intervention to suit the local context. Participants gained valuable skills and materials related to the stages of change, motivational interviewing, and implementation science, essential for bridging the know-do gap in tobacco cessation interventions. 

Reflecting on the training, Florence Bada, a Co-Investigator from the University of Maryland, expressed her satisfaction with the level of engagement among participants, highlighting their insightful questions.  

Lillian Okui, a Co-Investigator from Bummhi, concurs, emphasizing the customization of materials for local use. “It is exciting to have been part of this comprehensive and informative training, to learn and work in customizing the material for use in the Botswana setting. We have owned the BSMART intervention and look forward to its implementation.” 

Bontle Mbongwe, a Co-Principal Investigator from the University of Botswana, praised the training's ability to empower participants. “It was so fulfilling to get the feedback from the team that was trained indicating that they were quite excited for the experience and for the opportunity to be more involved in research,” said Bontle. “The training created a strong sense of ownership for the project, and the trainees felt personally responsible and accountable for the outcomes and equipped to train other health care workers in the implementation of the BSMART smoking cessation interventions.” 

With the skills acquired and insights gained from this collaborative study, the team is equipped to fight against tobacco addiction among PLWH in Botswana.