Regular Marijuana Use is Associated with Poor Viral Suppression in HIV-Infected Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

There is a paucity of data regarding the impact of drug use on HIV suppression and care retention among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). We recruited a clinic-based sample of HIV infected AYAs to assess the prevalence of self-reported drug use. Clinical data, including retention and viral suppression, were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Logistic regression was used to evaluate marijuana and illicit drug use associations and to identify other risk factors. Of 200 participants (mean age 21, 2.4 years, 69% horizontally infected), 46% reported current drug use, with marijuana as the most commonly used drug. Any illicit drug use (aOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.06-3.73, p = 0.032) and lower education (aOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.09-4.08, p = 0.046) were associated with poor viral suppression in multivariable analyses. Considering marijuana use only, an association with poor viral suppression was more pronounced (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.12-3.94, p = 0.021). Drug use did not have a significant association with retention in care, but AYAs who were retained in HIV care were less likely to have poorly suppressed HIV (aOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.49, p < 0.001). High prevalence of marijuana use among HIV infected AYAs, and its association with poorly suppressed HIV, demonstrates the need for intervention strategies to decrease its consumption.

Keywords: Adolescents; Drug use; HIV; Marijuana; Retention.