Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking and Associated Factors in a Large Sample of HIV-Positive Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Vietnam

Abstract

BackgroundCigarette smoking presents a salient risk for HIV-positive populations. This study is among the first to examine smoking prevalence, nicotine dependence, and associated factors in a large sample of HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Vietnam.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 1133 HIV-positive people was conducted from January to September 2013 at 8 ART clinics in Hanoi (the capital) and Nam Dinh (a rural area). Smoking history and nicotine dependence (Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence–FTND) were assessed by participant self-report. Logistic regression and Tobit linear regression were performed to identify factors significantly associated with smoking outcomes.ResultsPrevalence of current, former, and never smokers in the sample was 36.1%, 9.5%, and 54.4%, respectively. The current smoking proportion was higher in males (59.7%) than females (2.6%). The mean FTND score was 3.6 (SD = 2.1). Males were more likely to currently smoke than females (OR = 23.4, 95% CI = 11.6–47.3). Individuals with problem drinking (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1–2.9) and ever drug use (OR = 3.7, 95%CI = 2.5–5.7) were more likely to be current smokers. Older age and currently feeling pain were associated with lower nicotine dependence. Conversely, receiving care in Nam Dinh, greater alcohol consumption, ever drug use, and a longer smoking duration were associated with greater nicotine dependence.ConclusionsGiven the high prevalence of smoking among HIV-positive patients, smoking screening and cessation support should be offered at ART clinics in Vietnam. Risk factors (i.e., substance use) linked with smoking behavior should be considered in prevention programs.

Substance Use and Associated Factors among Retro Viral Infected (RVI) Patients on Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) at Assela Teaching Hospital

“…This is consistent with study finding in Jimma, Zambia and Vietnam which shows male predominance in Khat, Alcohol and Cigarettes smoking [18,26,30]. This could be due to due to social and biological factors or gender difference.…”

“…This is lower than similar study done in Vietnam (55%) and Brown University (48%) [17,18]. Studies in Southern Brazil reveals that current alcohol consumption in RVI patient was 66.6% which is by far higher than result of this study [19].…”

“…The prevalence of former smoker among HIV positive patient were 21.7% in South Africa, 64.3% in India, 20.3% in Uruguay and 9.5% in Vietnam [18,20,21]. However, it was lower in this study which is 0.7%.…”

“…However, it was lower in this study which is 0.7%. The prevalence of current smoker is 1.2% which is not significant compared to similar studies done in South Africa (15%), in Vietnam (36.1%), in Birmingham University (39%), Uruguay (42.4%) and China (62%) [18,[22][23][24]. Thus the prevalence of current smoking among HIV infected person is considerably higher worldwide due to urbanization, civilization and higher educational level.…”

CD4 Recovery and Survival among Adults Co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis B or C Virus, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

“…Higher pre-ART CD4 levels among females and higher CD4 recovery among females compared to males has been reported elsewhere, thought to be partially due to later male access to HIV services and poorer male ART adherence [40][41][42][43]. To the best of our knowledge, however, the potential joint effect of male gender and anti-HCV-positive status has not been previously reported.…”