Smoking behavior in a low-income multiethnic HIV/AIDS population

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe smoking prevalence and smoking behavior in a multiethnic low-income HIV/AIDS population. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The study site was Thomas Street Clinic, an HIV/AIDS care facility serving a medically indigent and ethnically diverse population. Demographic, disease status, behavioral, and psychosocial variables were assessed by participant self-report. Surveys were collected from 348 study participants. Demographic composition of the sample was 78% male, 25% White, 44% Black, and 29% Hispanic. Study participants had a mean age of 40.2 years (SD=7.8). The HIV exposure profile of the sample was diverse: 46% men who have sex with men, 35% heterosexual contact, and 11% injection drug use. Prevalence of current cigarette smoking in the sample was 46.9%. Among participants with a lifetime history of smoking 100 or more cigarettes (62.8%), only 26.6% were currently abstinent, lower than the 48.8% rate seen in the general population. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that race/ethnicity, education level, age, and heavy drinking were significantly associated with smoking status. Hispanics were less likely than Whites were to smoke, younger participants were less likely than older participants were to be current smokers, and heavy drinkers were more likely to be current smokers than were those who were not heavy drinkers. As education level increased, the likelihood of smoking decreased and the likelihood of quitting increased. The high smoking prevalence in this HIV/AIDS population demonstrates the need for smoking cessation interventions targeted to the special needs of this patient group.

Smoking Cessation for People Living With HIV/AIDS: A Literature Review and Synthesis

“…Male PLWHA are more likely to be cigarette smokers than are women. 13,15 Smokers also appear to be older, have less education, and are less likely to identify as Hispanic or Latino. 13 Cigarette smoking among PLWHA is also associated with recent illicit substance use, particularly cocaine and marijuana use, as well as heavy or binge alcohol consumption.…”

“…13,15 Smokers also appear to be older, have less education, and are less likely to identify as Hispanic or Latino. 13 Cigarette smoking among PLWHA is also associated with recent illicit substance use, particularly cocaine and marijuana use, as well as heavy or binge alcohol consumption. 13,15 There may also be psychological reasons for higher prevalence among PLWHA.…”

“…13 Cigarette smoking among PLWHA is also associated with recent illicit substance use, particularly cocaine and marijuana use, as well as heavy or binge alcohol consumption. 13,15 There may also be psychological reasons for higher prevalence among PLWHA. For example, Grover et al 16 found that HIV+ cigarette smokers who experience greater levels of HIV-related symptom distress are more likely to expect smoking to relieve emotional distress and enhance positive mood (as well as being more likely to expect smoking to cause physical harm).…”

“…1 By contrast, between 50% and 70% of PLWHA smoke cigarettes daily. 3,5,[10][11][12][13] On a positive note, one longitudinal study showed that smoking rates may be declining among women with HIV (to 39% in 2011 in the Women's Interagency HIV Study). 14 Although the reasons for this high prevalence are not well understood, there are some factors that appear to distinguish nonsmoking from smoking PLWHA.…”

The association between body image and smoking cessation among individuals living with HIV/AIDS

“…With the prevalence of smoking among individuals living with HIV/AIDS reported to 2-3 times higher than in the general population, (Burkhalter, Springer, Chhabra, Ostroff, & Rapkin, 2005;Gritz, Vidrine, Lazev, Amick, & Arduino, 2004) factors influencing cessation rates in this patient group must be given proper attention. Body image concerns are widely recognized among individuals living with HIV/AIDS as HIV treatment and infection can significantly alter physical appearance and bodily functioning.…”