The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Stress, Isolation, Smoking Behaviors, and Motivation to Quit in People with HIV Who Smoke

People with HIV (PWH) smoke at higher rates compared with the general population and have lower cessation rates. The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking in PWH. A survey was administered to participants in two smoking cessation trials in the United States. Mean cigarettes per day was 13.9 (SD 8.6), and participants reported they had smoked on average for 30.93 years (SD 10.4). More than half (55.7%) of participants (N = 140) reported not changing their smoking during the pandemic, while 15% reported decreasing, and 25% reported increasing their smoking. In bivariate analyses, worrying about food due to lack of money (chi(2) = 9.13, df 2, p = 0.01) and greater Covid-related worry (r(s) = 0.19, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with increased smoking. Qualitative research may be needed to more clearly elucidate factors related to smoking behaviors among PWH.

Automated summary

People with HIV have higher smoking rates and the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their smoking behaviors, with some reporting increased smoking. Worrying about food and greater COVID-related worry were significantly associated with increased smoking.