E-Cigarette Use Among Persons With Diagnosed HIV in the U.S.

Abstract

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Introduction</h3> Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) emerged in the U.S. market in the late 2000s. During 2017, e-cigarettes use among U.S. adults was 2.8%, with higher use among some population groups. Limited studies have assessed e-cigarette use among persons with diagnosed HIV (PWH). The purpose of this study is to describe national prevalence estimates of e-cigarette use among PWH by selected sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics. <h3>Methods</h3> Data was collected between June 2018 and May 2019 as part of the Medical Monitoring Project, an annual cross-sectional survey that produces nationally representative estimates of behavioral and clinical characteristics of PWH in the U.S. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were determined using Chi-square tests. Data were analyzed in 2021. <h3>Results</h3> Among PWH, 5.9% reported currently using e-cigarettes, 27.1% had ever used them but were not using them currently, and 72.9% had never used them. Current use of e-cigarettes was highest among PWH who currently smoke conventional cigarettes (11.1%), PWH with major depression (10.8%), PWH aged 25-34 years (10.5%), PWH who reported injectable and non-injectable drug use in past 12 months (9.7%), PWH diagnosed less than five years ago (9.5%), self-reported sexual orientation as other (9.2%), and non-Hispanic white people (8.4%). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Overall, findings suggest that a greater proportion of PWH used e-cigarettes than the overall U.S. adult population and higher rates were observed among certain subgroups, including those who currently smoke cigarettes. E-cigarette use among PWH warrants continued attention because of its potential impact on HIV-related morbidity and mortality.