Alcohol use and HIV disease management: the impact of individual and partner-level alcohol use among HIV-positive men who have sex with men.
Alcohol use among HIV-positive (HIV+) individuals is associated with decreased adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and consequently poorer HIV treatment outcomes. This study examined the independent association of individual and partner-level alcohol use with HIV disease management among men who have sex with men (MSM) in primary partnerships. In total, 356 HIV+ MSM and their male primary partners completed a baseline visit for a longitudinal study examining the role of couple-level factors in HIV treatment. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was administered to assess the individual and the partner-level alcohol use. Primary outcome variables included self-reported ART adherence, ART adherence self-efficacy, and HIV viral load. Results demonstrated that abstainers, compared to hazardous drinkers, had higher self-efficacy to integrate and persevere in HIV treatment and a lower odds of having a detectable viral load. Participants with a partner-abstainer, versus a partner-hazardous drinker, had less self-efficacy to persevere in HIV treatment, a lower odds of 100% three-day adherence and a higher viral load. Together, these findings suggest that assessment and treatment of both the patient's and the patient's primary partner's pattern of alcohol consumption is warranted when attempting to optimize HIV care among MSM.
a Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies , University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) , San Francisco , CA , USA.
Sarah E
SE
Woolf-King
Torsten B
TB
Neilands
Samantha E
SE
Dilworth
Adam W
AW
Carrico
Mallory O
MO
Johnson
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012495:San Francisco; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012747:Sexual Partners; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014505:Urban Population; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents