Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with tobacco smoking and alcohol use disorder among heterosexual people living with HIV in West Papua, Indonesia.

Introduction: Tobacco smoking and Alcohol use disorder (AUD) are common among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), and therefore are linked to increased mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of tobacco smoking and AUD, as well as to examine the factors associated with tobacco smoking and AUD among heterosexual PLHIV in West Papua.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) clinics in Manokwari, Sorong City, and Fakfak district. Data were gathered through interviews with 237 PLHIV who were chosen using a consecutive sampling technique. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the prevalence and estimate the factors associated with current tobacco smoking and AUD.

Results: The prevalence of tobacco smoking and AUD among PLHIV was 30.8% and 34.6%, respectively. There were statistically significant associated between tobacco smoking and gender (OR = 2.881, CI = 2.201-3.772), occupation (OR = 1.375, CI = 1.116-1.622), CD4+ count (OR = 1.865, CI = 1.865, CI = 1.068-3.259) and opportunistic infections (OR = 1.348, CI = 1.054-1.7240. There were also statistically significant associated between AUD and gender (OR = 2.951, CI = 2.16-3.930), occupation (OR = 1.392, CI = 1.178-1.645), CD4+ count (OR = 1.769, CI = 1.031-3.073), and opportunistic infections (OR = 1.445, CI = 1.134-1.842).

Conclusions: Gender, occupation, CD4+ count levels, and opportunistic infection were associated to tobacco smoking and AUD among heterosexual PLHIV in West Papua. These findings emphasize the critical need for an effective cigarette and alcohol use control program for people living with HIV in developing countries such as Indonesia, particularly West Papua.