title: Listening to those who are living with HIV and tobacco dependence and exploring their health care context.
abstract: The emergence of antiretroviral therapies extends the life span of people diagnosed with HIV and shifts health priorities toward chronic disease management. People living with HIV (PLWH) who smoke cigarettes are more likely than nonsmokers to develop health conditions such as pneumonia, cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. Our mixed methods study utilized semi-structured interviews (n = 29) to explore PLWH perceptions of tobacco and its role in their lives. We also explored HIV health care services and tobacco dependence treatment. Local HIV clinic staff (n = 4) participated in interview and focus group discussions that examined their practices and clinic services concerning tobacco dependence treatment. A brief survey of Canadian AIDS Society members shed light on trends in clinic-based tobacco dependence treatments (n = 24). The following themes emerged: competing health priorities for PLWH; interest in quitting; and disconnect between tobacco use, health, and living.
authors.forename: Annette S H
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Beverley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Temple
authors.forename: Caitlan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.forename: Jocelyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Preston
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ronson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: HIV clinic services; mixed methods study; people living with HIV; tobacco dependence