Smoking cessation for clients who are HIV-positive.
OBJECTIVE
To identify smoking prevalence and behaviour in clients who are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and to enrol those wanting to stop smoking in a smoking cessation programme.


METHODS
A questionnaire consisting of 28 questions on smoking behaviour was developed. Over an eight-week period at the Immunology Clinic, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, New South Wales, Australia, 68 clients were asked to complete the questionnaire; 23 were ineligible because they were non-smokers. Of the 45 respondents who completed the questionnaire, 39 were current smokers and six were ex-smokers. Twenty seven clients enrolled in the smoking cessation programme.


RESULTS
Smoking behaviour did not change due to a diagnosis of HIV or living with HIV. Stress was the main reason for recommencing smoking. At the end of the programme, 22 per cent (n = 6) had ceased smoking and 40 per cent (n = 11) had reduced nicotine intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking behaviour is complex and the reasons clients continue to smoke are multifactorial. Therefore, smoking cessation programmes should reflect this complexity.
Cummins
Denise
D
HIV/AIDS, Central Sydney Community Nursing Service, Redfern. cumminsd@email.cs.nsw.gov.au
Trotter
Garry
G
Moussa
Marry
M
Turham
Geoff
G
D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol