Tobacco Smoking and Associated Factors Among People Living With HIV in Uganda

Rates of smoking among people living with HIV are greater than the number of people who smoke within the general population.

This article, published in the Journal of Nicotine and Tobacco, examines the smoking patterns and behaviours of people living with HIV and who are receiving care in Uganda. 

The researchers recruited 777 individuals over the course of one year and collected information on their date of birth, sex, education, and marital status, self-reported data on the number of years since HIV diagnosis, ART status, stress levels, other substance use and smoking status.

Results from the study found that an individual had greater odds of being a current smoker if they are male, have at least two smokers among five closest friends, live in smoking-permitted households, use alcohol, have higher perceived stress and living with a current smoker.

The authors conclude that future interventions should examine individuals alcohol consumption as well as their wellbeing when assessing and supporting them to reduce tobacco use.