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

Background Cigarette 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. Methods A cross-sectional study of 1133 HIV-positive people was conducted from January to Sep-tember 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. Results Prevalence 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 fe-males (2.6%). The mean FTND score was 3.6 (SD = 2.1). Males were more likely to current