[Smoking cessation for HIV infected patients]

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is one of the leading health problems of the general and also of the HIV population. At the HIV clinic at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, many patients expressed the desire to quit smoking. Therefore, an evidence based smoking cessation program was established. The program bases on the two intervention strategies, which have been evaluated as most effective in the state-of-the-art literature: Nicotine substitution and counseling. Counseling bases on dialogues and empowerment. Our smoking cessation program includes a short-term intervention, general information, and a counseling program in several parts. Until recently, in Switzerland, mainly physicians have conducted smoking cessation programs. Moreover, in the German-speaking realm, no publications exist about effective nursing interventions regarding smoking cessation. Thus, the aim of this article is to present an evidence based smoking cessation program offered by both nurses and physicians. Practice experiences indicate that the combination of nicotine substitution and counseling in several parts may be a successful interdisciplinary intervention.