Publications

Iran is facing unprecedented dual drug use and HIV epidemics. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to obtain HIV prevalence and risk behavior data from injection drug users (IDU) in Tehran. We used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to recruit IDU through successive waves starting with 24 "seeds," conducted anonymous face-to-face interviews and HIV testing and counseling, and used RDSAT to adjust data. During 44 weeks, 1,726 study referral coupons resulted in 645 (37 %) IDU referrals, of whom 548 (85 %) were enrolled. From those enrolled, 84 % were incarcerated, 47 % employed, 55 % single, 27 % under 30 years of age, and 26 % homeless. The adjusted HIV prevalence was 26.6 % (95 % confidence interval 21.3-32.1), and was higher among certain IDU subgroups (e.g., those who sharing injection paraphernalia). Our estimates of HIV prevalence were higher than some other estimates; however, repeated surveys using similar methodology are needed to monitor the trend of HIV epidemic over time.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate predictors of dual use of cigarettes with smokeless tobacco or e-cigarettes.

METHODS

Adult smokers (N = 1324) completed online cross-sectional surveys. Logistic regression evaluated predictors of dual use and cigarette quit attempts.

RESULTS

Smokeless tobacco dual use was associated with past attempts to quit smoking by switching to smokeless products. E-cigarette dual use was associated with using stop-smoking medication and strong anti-tobacco industry attitudes. Ever use of stop-smoking medication was associated with quit attempts among dual e-cigarette users and cigarette-only users.

CONCLUSIONS

Dual users are more likely than cigarette-only users to endorse certain cessation-related attitudes and behaviors. This may provide an opportunity for clinicians or others to discuss evidence-based strategies for smoking cessation.