Substance abuse related to risky behaviors among those with detectable HIV

Patients receiving routine HIV clinical care who have detectable viremia may participate in risky sexual behavior that is often related to substance abuse, recent data presented at the XIX International AIDS conference suggest.

Researchers from the University of Washington sought out to determine predictors of detectable viremia and HIV transmission risk factors among patients in clinical care. Patients at Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) participated in the study. The patients completed an assessment that included substance use, adherence to ART and sexual risk behaviors. Five sites were included: Seattle, Boston, Birmingham, Ala., San Diego and San Francisco.

The study included 5,905 patients who completed 15,140 assessments. The rates of detectable viremia with incomplete/no condom use ranged from 15% to 36% by sites. Women and patients aged at least 50 years were less at-risk compared with younger patients or men. Patients at risk were more likely to have had two or more sex partners within the previous 6 months.

Regarding substance abuse, patients who reported amphetamine or injection drug use had double the odds of being at-risk for HIV transmission. Those who reported alcohol, marijuana or cocaine/crack use were approximately 1.5 times the odds of being at-risk. In addition, inadequate adherence to ART also increased the odds of being at-risk.

References:

Crane H. #THAC0202. Presented at: XIX International AIDS Conference; July 22-27, 2012; Washington, D.C.

Disclosures:

The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.