Heavy Alcohol Use Is Associated With Worse Retention in HIV Care.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Poor retention in HIV care is associated with worse clinical outcomes and increased HIV transmission. We examined the relationship between self-reported alcohol use, a potentially modifiable behavior, and retention.

Methods

A total of 9694 people living with HIV from 7 participating US HIV clinical sites (the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems) contributed 23,225 observations from January 2011 to June 2014. The retention outcomes were (1) Institute of Medicine (IOM) retention: 2 visits within 1 year at least 90 days apart and (2) visit adherence [proportion of kept visits/(scheduled + kept visits)]. Alcohol use was measured with Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-C, generating drinking (never, moderate, and heavy) and binge fre

SUBMITTER: Monroe AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5085857 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature