Changes in HIV-related behaviors among heterosexual alcoholics following addiction treatment.
In order to measure changes in HIV-related behaviors among heterosexual alcoholics following treatment, we conducted a prospective cohort study of 700 self-identified alcoholics recruited from five public alcohol treatment centers, all of which included HIV risk-reduction counseling. Respondents underwent an HIV antibody test and interviewer-administered questionnaire at entry to alcohol treatment and after a mean of 13 months later. Compared to baseline, at follow-up there was an overall 26% reduction in having sex with an injection-drug-using partner (23% versus 32%, P < .001) and a 58% reduction in the use of injection drugs (15% versus 37%, P < .001), along with smaller improvements in other behaviors. Respondents also showed a 77% improvement in consistent condom use with multiple sexual partners (35% versus 20%, P < .01) and a 23% improvement in partner screening (71% versus 57%, P < .001). Respondents who remained abstinent showed substantially greater improvement than those who continued to drink.
Avins
A L
AL
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Lindan
C P
CP
Woods
W J
WJ
Hudes
E S
ES
Boscarino
J A
JA
Kay
J
J
Clark
W
W
Hulley
S B
SB
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers