Are smokers with HIV using information and communication technology? Implications for behavioral interventions.
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Date
2012-02-08
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Abstract
Smoking is highly prevalent among persons living with HIV AIDS PLWHA and associated with adverse outcomes including malignancy and cardiovascular disease Information and communication technology ICT may be effective in disseminating cessation interventions among PLWHA This study examines the prevalence of ICT use among 492 PLWHA attending an urban clinic and characteristics associated with ICT use Participants completed a survey of demographics smoking status and ICT use Factors associated with ICT use were examined with logistic regression Overall 63 of participants smoked with 73 of smokers owning their own cell phone Use of other modalities was lower with 48 of smokers reporting any internet use 39 text messaging and 31 using email Higher education was associated with the use of all modalities Cell phone interventions may have the broadest reach among PLWHA though with almost half using the internet this may also be a low cost means of delivering cessation interventions
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Keywords
Drug users, Client, Communication roadblocks, Access to information or data, Addressing individual beliefs and practices, Tobacco Use, HIV/AIDS, Health education or promotion, Treatment adherence