Substance use among HIV-infected adolescents in Uganda: rates and association with potential risks and outcome factors

Birungi, Caroline; Ssembajjwe, Wilber; Salisbury, Tatiana Taylor; Levin, Jonathan; Nakasujja, Noeline; Mpango, Richard; Abbo, Catherine; Seedat, Soraya; Araya, Ricardo; Musisi, Seggane; Gadow, Kenneth D.; Patel, Vikram; Kinyanda, Eugene

doi:10.1080/09540121.2020.1717419

Cited by 8 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Among YLWH, this study found no significant associations between current substance use and any of the HIV-related factors including a measure of disease severity (HIV viral load). Similar findings have been reported in the literature [ 7 , 54 ]. It is possible that the lack of significant associations between substance use and HIV-related factors in this study was because these young people are already engaged in care, and almost all (94%) were satisfied with the current quality of care they were receiving.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Alcohol and illicit drug use among young people living with HIV compared to their uninfected peers from the Kenyan coast: prevalence and risk indicators

Nyongesa

Mwangi

Kinuthia

et al. 2021

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, there is paucity of research on substance use patterns among young people living with HIV (YLWH). To address the gap, we sought to: i) determine the prevalence of substance use, specifically alcohol and illicit drug use, among YLWH compared to their HIV-uninfected peers; ii) investigate the independent association between young people’s HIV infection status and substance use; iii) investigate the risk indicators for substance use among these young people. Methods Between November 2018 and September 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kenyan coast recruiting 819 young people aged 18–24 years (407 HIV-positive). Alcohol and drug use disorders identification tests (AUDIT and DUDIT) were administered via audio computer-assisted self-interview alongside other measures. Logistic regression was used to determine substance use risk indicators. Results The point prevalence of current substance use was significantly lower among YLWH than HIV-uninfected youths: current alcohol use, 13% vs. 24%, p < 0.01; current illicit drug use, 7% vs. 15%, p < 0.01; current alcohol and illicit drug use comorbidity, 4 vs. 11%, p < 0.01. Past-year prevalence estimates for hazardous substance use were generally low among young people in this setting (< 10%) with no significant group differences observed. Being HIV-positive independently predicted lower odds of current substance use, but not hazardous substance use. There was overlap of some risk indicators for current substance use between young people with and without HIV including male sex, khat use and an experience of multiple negative life events, but risk indicators unique to either group were also identified. Among YLWH, none of the HIV-related factors was significantly associated with current substance use. Conclusions At the Kenyan coast, substance use is a reality among young people. The frequency of use generally appears to be low among YLWH compared to the HIV-uninfected peers. Substance use prevention initiatives targeting young people, regardless of HIV infection status, are warranted in this setting to avert their potential risk for developing substance use disorders, including dependence. The multifaceted intrapersonal and interpersonal factors that place young people at risk of substance use need to be addressed as part of the substance use awareness and prevention initiatives.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Alcohol and illicit drug use among young people living with HIV compared to their uninfected peers from the Kenyan coast: prevalence and risk indicators

Nyongesa

Mwangi

Kinuthia

et al. 2021

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This prevalence is similar to a study done in Dar es Salaam among youth in the general population, which reported a prevalence of 7% [ 54 ]. The prevalence is also similar to a study done at HIV clinics which reported a prevalence of 5.6% [ 55 ]. One possible reason for this relatively low proportion of substance use among this population group is that they receive counseling at the CTCs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…The most frequently used substance was alcohol, followed by tobacco. Other studies in different clinical settings have also reported alcohol as the most frequently used substance among HIV positive youth [ 55 ]. The youth in this study reported never having used cannabis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and factors associated with substance use among HIV positive youth attending HIV care and treatment centers in Dodoma, Tanzania

Morawej

Nyundo

Kinyaga³

et al. 2022

AIDS Res Ther

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Substance use among people living with HIV is associated with poor health, social, and psychological outcomes. This study assessed the prevalence of substance use and associated factors among youth attending HIV care and treatment centers (CTCs) in Dodoma, Tanzania. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out in Dodoma, Tanzania, from February to April 2020 among youth aged 15–24 attending HIV CTCs. Data was collected using sociodemographic, WHO ASSIST Version 3.0, BDI II, and SERAD questionnaires. Data analysis was done using Stata 17. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize continuous and categorical variables. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine factors independently associated with substance use. Results The prevalence of substance use was relatively low (6.6%). Older youth (20 to 24 years) were 2% less likely to use substances compared to the younger ones (15 to 19 years) (AOR: 0.07; 95% CI 0.01, 0.83). There were statistically significant decreasing odds of substance use with every year increase in age at HIV diagnosis (OR: 1.66; 95% CI 1.14, 2.41). Being unemployed was statistically significantly associated with decreased odds of substance use among this population (OR: 0.03; 95% CI 0.02, 0.33). Youth who had detectable viral loads were significantly more likely to use substances compared to those with undetectable viral loads (AOR: 12.9; 95% CI 1.07, 156.05). Conclusions Despite the low prevalence of substance use found in this study, it is important to note that late age of HIV diagnosis, employment, and detectable viral load negatively impacted HIV positive youth with regards to substance use. It is recommended that CTCs emphasize routine screening for substance use among youth who have detectable viral loads.

show abstract

“…In addition, the study assessed participants' general feeling of their own health in the past week since feeling healthy has been attributed to delay in seeking HIV services 33 , 34 . A question on alcohol use was included as it has been identified as a barrier to HIV treatment among young people 35 , 36 . We included other factors which several studies have directly linked to treatment initiation and adherence such as knowledge about ART 37 , perceived health benefits and knowledge of someone who has experienced positive health effects on ART, denial of being HIV positive 38 , concerns about potential adverse effects 39 , stigma (both internalized and externalized) 40 , social support (from friends and family)41 and disclosure of HIV status 42 .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with readiness to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) among young people (15-24 years) at four HIV clinics in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Nkalubo¹,

Mugaba²,

Asasira³

et al. 2021

Afr H. Sci.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Globally, the HIV burden continues to rise among young people despite the discovery of ART. This study assessed demographic and psycho-social factors among young people associated with readiness to be initiated on ART. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among newly diagnosed HIV positive young people aged 15-24 years at 4 HIV clinics at Mulago Hospital. Readiness was measured as a self-report by the individual to the question,“How ready do you feel to start ART? Results: Of the 231 young people enrolled, the mean age (SD) was 20.7years (+/-2.8) and most were female (66.2%). Majority were very ready (53.3%) and very motivated (51.1%) to start ART. Higher treatment readiness was associated with being female (95% CI [5.62, 8.31], p=0.003), thinking that ART cures HIV (95% CI [0.43, 0.86], p=0.005), history of having unprotected sex (95% CI [0.79, 0.87], p=<0.001), anticipating negative HIV results (95% CI [0.26, 0.88], p=0.017), internalized stigma (95% CI [0.83, 0.98], p=0.018) and knowledge of positive ART effects for others (95% CI [0.84, 0.93], p=<0.001). Conclusions: Understanding the underlying factors associated with ART readiness among young people can inform strategiesto support and increase individuals’ readiness to initiate ART and early engagement in care. Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy Readiness; Young people; Sub-Saharan Africa.

show abstract

Substance use among HIV-infected adolescents in Uganda: rates and association with potential risks and outcome factors

Cited by 8 publications

References 26 publications

Alcohol and illicit drug use among young people living with HIV compared to their uninfected peers from the Kenyan coast: prevalence and risk indicators

Alcohol and illicit drug use among young people living with HIV compared to their uninfected peers from the Kenyan coast: prevalence and risk indicators

Prevalence and factors associated with substance use among HIV positive youth attending HIV care and treatment centers in Dodoma, Tanzania

Factors associated with readiness to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) among young people (15-24 years) at four HIV clinics in Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About