Depression and associated factors among HIV-positive smokers receiving care at HIV outpatient clinics in Vietnam: a cross-sectional analysis

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated factors among people living with HIV (PLWH) who were current cigarette smokers and receiving treatment at HIV outpatient clinics (OPCs) in Vietnam.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey of smokers living with HIV.

SETTING: The study was carried out in 13 HIV OPCs located in Ha Noi, Vietnam.

PARTICIPANTS: The study included 527 PLWH aged 18 and above who were smokers and were receiving treatment at HIV OPCs.

OUTCOME MEASURES: The study used the Centre for Epidemiology Scale for Depression to assess depressive symptoms.

The associations between depressive symptoms, tobacco dependence and other characteristics were explored using bivariate and Poisson regression analyses.

RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among smokers living with HIV was 38.3%.

HIV-positive smokers who were female (prevalence ratio, PR 1.51, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.22), unmarried (PR 2.06, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.76), had a higher level of tobacco dependence (PR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.11) and reported their health as fair or poor (PR 1.66, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.26) were more likely to have depression symptoms compared with HIV-positive smokers who were male, married, had a lower level of tobacco dependence and self-reported their health as good, very good or excellent.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among smokers receiving HIV care at HIV OPCs was high.

Both depression and tobacco use screening and treatment should be included as part of ongoing care treatment plans at HIV OPCs.