Alcohol use disorders and associated factors among people living with HIV who are attending services in south west Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundAlcohol use disorders (AUDs) in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in high-income countries have been associated with poor adherence to antiretroviral medications and worse HIV-related outcomes. Little is known about AUDs among people attending HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsAcross-sectional study was carried out among PLHIV who attended HIV services at Jimma University Specialized Hospital in September 2012. The World Health Organization’s Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tool (AUDIT) was used to measure probable hazardous, harmful and dependent use of alcohol (‘alcohol use disorders’). Associations between AUDs and other variables were explored using logistic regression analysis. All variables associated with AUDs with a p value <0.25 were included in the final multivariable model.ResultsThe overall prevalence of AUDs was 32.6%, with hazardous use, harmful use and alcohol dependence accounting for 24.7%, 2.8% and 5.1% of the total, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of AUDs in persons receiving antiretroviral treatment compared to those who were antiretroviral therapy naïve (32.6% vs. 38.6%). AUDs were identified in 26.0% and 44.1% of females and males, respectively. Male gender, smoking cigarettes and psychological distress were positively associated independently with AUDs.ConclusionThe high prevalence of AUDs detected in our facility-based survey of PLHIV in Ethiopia highlights the need to integrate delivery of effective and feasible interventions for AUDs into HIV care.

Alcohol Use Disorders and Its Associated Factors among Psychiatric Outpatients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

“…This may be due to the difference between tools used in this study (AUDIT vs. CAGE), as the CAGE is designed to detect more severe AUDs and the difference in the study community. However, the prevalence of AUDs found in this study was almost similar to estimates from the study conducted in a psychiatric hospital in Switzerland, using AUDIT score cut off of 8, showed that the frequency of alcohol use disorder was 35.1% [33] and a cross sectional study done on alcohol use disorders and associated factors among people living with HIV who are attending services in southwest Ethiopia the prevalence of alcohol use disorders was 32.6% [43].…”

Efeito do álcool em pessoas com HIV: tratamento e qualidade de vida

“…(18) Patients with a CD4 + T lymphocyte count below 200 cells/ mm 3 had higher chances of being a lower alcohol user, while individuals with an undetectable viral load are more likely to use alcohol. (1) Regarding adherence to pharmacological treatment, it was observed that most patients had adequate adherence to ART, diverging from the previous research. (19)(20)(21) This result may be related to the fact that only 12 individuals in this study were classified as in harmful use of alcohol, probably due to the small number of people.…”

“…Advances in the health area, and the implementation of preventive measures and control of HIV infection have reduced the detection of new cases of AIDS; in contrast, people living with HIV/ AIDS (PLWHA) have increased their use of substances that lead to dependence (1) and this influences this population's social, economic, and psychological life. (2) The use of alcohol by PLWHA is related to a worse prognosis, with increased morbidity and mortality, (3) high-risk sexual behaviors, accelerated disease progression, low adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), CD4+ T lymphocyte decline, and increased viral load, as well as the spread of HIV infection, because alcoholics are more likely to have unprotected sex, favoring virus transmission.…”

Alcohol Use and Associations With Biological Markers and Self-Reported Indicators of Unprotected Sex in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Female Sex Workers in Mombasa, Kenya

“…1,2 In addition to adverse health effects, alcohol use in this population could facilitate secondary HIV transmission if it increases engagement in unprotected sex. Research in African populations has reported associations between alcohol use and having more sex partners, unprotected sex, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).…”