Listening to Those Who are Living With HIV and Tobacco Dependence and Exploring Their Health Care Context

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.