Continued Substance Use among People Living with HIV-Hepatitis-C Co-Infection and Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy
BACKGROUND:
Co-infection
with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) poses a
significant threat to personal and public health. Substance use among
co-infected persons leads to increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of
this study is to examine the continued substance use of people living with
HIV-HCV co-infection and receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
METHODS:
Individuals
living with HIV infection in Atlanta, GA and currently receiving ART (N = 678) completed
audio-computer-assisted self-interviews for demographic, health, and behavior
characteristics; unannounced pill counts to assess ART adherence over one
month; finger-stick blood specimens collected for HCV antibody testing and
urine specimens for drug use screening; and obtained HIV viral load and CD4
cell counts from their medical provider. We performed cross-sectional analyses
for behavioral and biological markers of health, health behaviors, and
substance use.
RESULTS:
Among
participants, 131 (19%) were HIV-HCV co-infected; 53% were HIV-mono-infected,
and 60% of HIV-HCV co-infected participants tested positive for use of at least
one non-alcohol drug: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cocaine were most
prevalent. HIV-HCV co-infected individuals were older, with no other
significant differences. Within the HIV-HCV co-infected participants, drug
users (N = 87) did not differ from non-drug users (N = 53) in terms of ART
adherence. However, drug users were significantly more likely to have
uncontrolled HIV (17%) compared with those who did not test drug positive (4%).
CONCLUSIONS:
Substance
use is prevalent in persons with HIV-HCV co-infection and may interfere with
ART. Research with a larger and more representative sample is needed to
replicate and confirm these results.
- 1 Department of Psychology , University of Connecticut , Storrs , Connecticut , USA.
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