Journal article
Hepatitis C and Cigarette Smoking Behavior: Themes From Focus Groups
Nicotine & tobacco research, v 26(8), pp 1029-1037
22 Jul 2024
PMID: 38422381
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Introduction People with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV; PWHC) use cigarettes at a much higher prevalence than other individuals, and smoking can exacerbate the harms specifically related to HCV (eg, hepatocellular carcinoma). Little is known about factors related to cigarette use among PWHC.Aims and Methods This study examined focus group data to explore beliefs and behaviors related to cigarette use among PWHC. Qualitative data from two focus groups of PWHC reporting current cigarette smoking (n = 15, 60% male) were collected using a semi-structured interview guide. Participants were asked about reasons for smoking, barriers to quitting smoking, and the relationship of HCV to smoking. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and coded in NVivo 12. Four coders examined themes that arose in the focus groups. Common themes are described and supported with quotes.Results Reasons for smoking included addiction to cigarettes, stress, substituting cigarettes for other drugs, and social norms, while reasons for quitting included health and being free from the use of all drugs. Barriers to quitting included concerns about coping with stress, weight gain, and having a lack of support for and education about quitting. Many participants believed there was a link between smoking and HCV and discussed smoking in relation to the stress of an HCV diagnosis.Conclusions Participants identified both HCV-related and non-HCV-related aspects of cigarette smoking and cessation-related behaviors that could be targeted in cessation treatment. More research is needed to identify the best treatment approaches that reduce the significant medical consequences of cigarette use among PWHC.Implications People with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV; PWHC) smoke cigarettes at a high prevalence, yet little is known about their smoking behaviors. Moreover, there are no cessation treatments targeting PWHC. This is the first study to collect focus group data from PWHC who smoke in order to identify reasons for cigarette use (HCV-related and non-HCV-related), and motivators and barriers to quitting cigarettes. PWHC reports using cigarettes to cope with the stress of an HCV diagnosis and to celebrate HCV cure. These findings suggest there are specific times during the HCV care continuum where providers can aid with cessation efforts.
Metrics
1 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Hepatitis C and Cigarette Smoking Behavior: Themes From Focus Groups
- Creators
- Julia F. Cohen - Yeshiva UniversityKathleen M. Ward - Johns Hopkins UniversityJennifer Gittleman - Yeshiva UniversityEsther Perez - Yeshiva UniversityTyler Pia - Yeshiva UniversityJonathan Shuter - Albert Einstein College of MedicineAndrea H. Weinberger (Corresponding Author) - Albert Einstein College of MedicineMark Sulkowski - Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Publication Details
- Nicotine & tobacco research, v 26(8), pp 1029-1037
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- K24-DA034621 / NIH/NIDA; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Community Health and Prevention
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001181164700001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85199272660
- Other Identifier
- 991022202490504721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: SDGs in the Output
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
- Substance Abuse