title: Initiating HIV care: attitudes and perceptions of HIV positive crack cocaine users.
abstract: There is limited data on the initiation and use of HIV care services by HIV-positive crack cocaine users. We analyzed data from a study of 286 recently infected HIV-positive persons recruited from 4 U.S. cities. Participants completed an Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (A-CASI) regarding HIV care knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices related to the initiation of HIV care. In multiple logistic regression analysis, higher scores on an assessment of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding HIV care, and Hispanic race were positively associated with initiating HIV primary care. Crack cocaine use in the past 30 days and male gender were negatively associated with initiating care. Injection drug use was not associated with initiation of care. Targeted interventions for crack cocaine users, including drug treatment, may be required to provide optimal HIV primary care use in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1400 NW 10th Avenue Ste. 813 (D-90A), Miami, FL 33136, USA. tbrewer@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Toye H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereyra
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Rio
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Loughlin
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anderson-Mahoney
authors.forename: Lytt
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Lisa R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Metsch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000628:therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D016578:Crack Cocaine