Testing for factors associated with desire to quit smoking at an HIV/STI Clinic

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use in Ireland is declining but remains a serious public health threat particularly in 'at risk' groups. Determining factors associated with a desire to quit could help smoking cessations specialists strengthen their ability to deliver effective services.

Design/Methods: A cross-sectional survey on tobacco use was administered to service users attending a HIV/STI clinic in Dublin. The total sample was 834 service users age from 17-73 years, mean age 33. Chi-squared was used to test for an association between desire to quit and exposure to cessation information and socio-demographic variables among smokers in the sample.

Results: 31.1% (259) currently smoked cigarettes at least once a month. 61.3% were trying to quit or interested in quitting in the next 6 months. Among the tested factors (gender, education, employment, sexual orientation, and relationship status), only relationship status was associated with an increased desire to quit (X² (1, N = 234) = 10.44, p = .001). Exposure to cessation materials or quit advice was not statistically associated with desire to quit. 53.4% of HIV diagnosed patients were ready to quit as compared to 46.6% STI clinic users but not a statistically significant outcome.

Conclusion: Preliminary findings exploring possible factors associated with desire to quit in this HIV/STI population uncovered no significant associations with exposure to quit materials or socio-demographic variables in this sample. Services targeting this population need additional, nuanced research on 'desire to quit' to make focussed services more effective.