Tobacco use and readiness to quit smoking in low-income HIV-infected persons Journal Article


Authors: Burkhalter, J. E.; Springer, C. M.; Chhabra, R.; Ostroff, J. S.; Rapkin, B. D.
Article Title: Tobacco use and readiness to quit smoking in low-income HIV-infected persons
Abstract: The study aim was to identify covariates of smoking status and readiness to quit that encompassed key sociodemographic and health status variables, health-related quality of life, drug use and unprotected sex, and tobacco use variables in a cohort of low-income persons living with HIV. We also examined the impact of HIV diagnosis on smoking cessation. The sample (N=428) was mostly male (59%) and Black (53%) or Hispanic (30%), and had a high school education or less (87%). Mean age was 40 years. Two-thirds of participants were current smokers, 19% former smokers, and 16% never smokers. Current smokers smoked a mean of 16 cigarettes/day for 22 years; 42% were in the precontemplation stage of readiness to quit smoking, 40% were contemplators, and 18% were in preparation. Most current smokers (81%) reported receiving medical advice to quit smoking. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that current smokers, compared with former smokers, were more likely to use illicit drugs, perceive a lower health risk for continued smoking, and report less pain. Current smokers, compared with nonsmokers (former and never smokers), were more likely to report greater illicit drug use in their lifetime, current illicit drug use, and less pain. A multiple linear regression indicated that greater current illicit drug use, greater emotional distress, and a lower number of quit attempts were associated with lower stage of readiness to quit smoking. These findings confirm a high prevalence of smoking among HIV-infected persons and suggest a complex interplay among drug use, pain, and emotional distress that impact smoking status and, among smokers, readiness to quit. Tobacco control programs for HIV-infected persons should build motivation to quit smoking and address salient barriers to cessation - such as comorbid drug use, emotional distress, pain, and access to and coverage for treatment - and should educate smokers regarding the HIV-specific health benefits of cessation. © 2005 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.
Keywords: adult; middle aged; major clinical study; human immunodeficiency virus infection; counseling; linear models; quality of life; cohort studies; logistic models; prevalence; cohort analysis; health behavior; patient education; smoking cessation; motivation; smoking; risk assessment; questionnaires; social status; health care utilization; health program; correlation analysis; health status; comorbidity; multivariate logistic regression analysis; consultation; smoking habit; tobacco dependence; drug dependence; new york; risk reduction; race difference; patient attitude; socioeconomics; health care access; hiv infections; emotional stress; health education; negro; hispanic; safe sex; poverty; lowest income group; illicit drug; covariance; high school; social control; unsafe sex
Journal Title: Nicotine & Tobacco Research
Volume: 7
Issue: 4
ISSN: 1462-2203
Publisher: Oxford University Press  
Date Published: 2005-08-01
Start Page: 511
End Page: 522
Language: English
DOI: 10.1080/14622200500186064
PUBMED: 16085522
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 60" - "Export Date: 24 October 2012" - "CODEN: NTREF" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Jamie S Ostroff
    344 Ostroff
  2. Bruce D Rapkin
    47 Rapkin