Medically eligible women who do not use HAART: the importance of abuse, drug use, and race.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of HIV-positive women who do not report highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use.


METHODS
We analyzed HAART use among 1165 HIV-positive participants in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.


RESULTS
Between October 1, 2000, and March 31, 2001, 254 women with clinical indications for HAART reported not using it, 635 reported HAART use, and 276 had no clinical indications. In multivariate analysis, using crack/cocaine/heroin and a history of abuse decreased the likelihood of using HAART, whereas being White increased it.


CONCLUSIONS
One of 4 women for whom HAART was indicated reported not using HAART. Childhood sexual abuse prevention, more intensive abuse treatment, and continuing drug treatment may enhance HIV disease treatment of women.
Cohen
Mardge H
MH
CORE Center, Cook County Hospital, Cook County Bureau of Health Services, Chicago, Ill., USA. mcohen@corecenter.org
Cook
Judith A
JA
Grey
Dennis
D
Young
Mary
M
Hanau
Lawrence H
LH
Tien
Phyllis
P
Levine
Alexandra M
AM
Wilson
Tracey E
TE
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D004219:District of Columbia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health