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. 2013 Oct;17 Suppl 2(0 2):S118-27.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-013-0506-0.

Contribution of substance use disorders on HIV treatment outcomes and antiretroviral medication adherence among HIV-infected persons entering jail

Ehsan Chitsaz  1 , Jaimie P Meyer, Archana Krishnan, Sandra A Springer, Ruthanne Marcus, Nick Zaller, Alison O Jordan, Thomas Lincoln, Timothy P Flanigan, Jeff Porterfield, Frederick L Altice
Affiliations

Contribution of substance use disorders on HIV treatment outcomes and antiretroviral medication adherence among HIV-infected persons entering jail

Ehsan Chitsaz et al. AIDS Behav. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

HIV and substance use are inextricably intertwined. One-sixth of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) transition through the correctional system annually. There is paucity of evidence on the impact of substance use disorders on HIV treatment engagement among jail detainees. We examined correlates of HIV treatment in the largest sample of PLWHA transitioning through jail in 10 US sites from 2007 to 2011. Cocaine, alcohol, cannabis, and heroin were the most commonly used substances. Drug use severity was negatively and independently correlated with three outcomes just before incarceration: (1) having an HIV care provider (AOR = 0.28; 95 % CI 0.09-0.89); (2) being prescribed antiretroviral therapy (AOR = 0.12; 95 % CI 0.04-0.35) and (3) high levels (>95 %) of antiretroviral medication adherence (AOR = 0.18; 95 % CI 0.05-0.62). Demographic, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, and social factors also contributed to poor outcomes. Evidence-based drug treatments that include multi-faceted interventions, including medication-assisted therapies, are urgently needed to effectively engage this vulnerable population.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Conceptual model of health behaviors among the HIV-infected persons during the pre-incarceration period – adapted from Chen N, et al. 2011 with permission.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparison of HIV Treatment Outcomes Among HIV-infected Drug Users Entering Jail (N=1166)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances