Abstract
The use of stimulants has important implications for HIV prevention and care. However, few investigations have examined psychological correlates of substance use and adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive stimulant users. This crosssectional investigation examined affective correlates of stimulant use and ART adherence among HIV-positive methamphetamine users. In total, 122 HIV-positive men who have sex with men or transgendered individuals on ART who reported using methamphetamine in the past 30 days were recruited from the community. HIV-specific traumatic stress was consistently and independently associated with more frequent cocaine/crack use (but not with methamphetamine use). Positive affect was independently associated with a decreased likelihood of reporting any injection drug use and an increased likelihood of reporting perfect ART adherence. HIV-specific traumatic stress may be an important determinant of increased cocaine/crack use in this population. Positive affect may increase the likelihood that individuals will refrain from injection drug use and achieve high levels of ART adherence.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 769-777 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | AIDS and Behavior |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cocaine
- HIV/AIDS
- Methamphetamine
- Positive affect
- Self medication hypothesis
- Trauma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Infectious Diseases