Tobacco smoking remains a prevalent behavior in people living with HIV infection
(PLWHs) and is associated with impaired immune functioning, increased
cardiovascular risk, and decreased response to antiretroviral therapy. This
review presents a critique and synthesis of evidence on effective
smoking-cessation interventions for PLWHs. A comprehensive search identified nine
peer-reviewed intervention studies published between 1989 and 2012. The highest
likelihood of smoking cessation (range of odds ratios 4.33-5.6) were in two
randomized controlled trial interventions using cell phone technology. Clinically
significant reductions in systolic blood pressure, weight gain, and increased
CD(4+) T-cell count were reported in participants who ceased smoking in three of
the nine studies. Overall, multistrategy smoking-cessation interventions,
delivered over multiple sessions, were effective. However, the most effective
interventions were tailored to the unique individual needs of PLWHs, including
assessment of and intervention for polysubstance abuse and mental health issues,
as well as the inclusion of access-promoting elements.