Increase in sexual risk behavior associated with immunologic response to highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected injection drug users.
This study identifies factors associated with high-risk sexual and drug injection behaviors among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected injection drug users (IDUs) after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Participants of a large cohort study of IDUs in Baltimore were seen at semiannual visits; blood samples to determine HIV serostatus and CD4+ cell count were obtained, as well as questionnaire data on risk behaviors and medication. Survival analysis conducted for 190 HIV-infected participants who initiated HAART during 1996-2000 revealed that an increase in CD4+ cell count (categorized as an increase of >0 cells/mm3 or of < or =0 cells/mm3) after HAART initiation was independently associated with engaging in any sexual intercourse (adjusted relative hazard [ARH], 1.83; 95% CI, 1.22-2.73) and with a 3-fold increase in the hazard of engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse (ARH, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.57-6.93) after HAART initiation. An increase in CD4+ cell count after HAART initiation was not associated with injection of drugs or needle sharing. Risk reduction counseling remains important, despite improvements in the treatment of HIV infection.
Tun
Waimar
W
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Gange
Stephen J
SJ
Vlahov
David
D
Strathdee
Steffanie A
SA
Celentano
David D
DD
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000523:psychology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing; D012309:Risk-Taking; D021841:Safe Sex; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents