HIV Treatment for Alcohol and Non-Injection Drug Users in El Salvador. Qual Health Res 2015 Dec;25(12):1719-32
Date
01/18/2015Pubmed ID
25595149Pubmed Central ID
PMC5027900DOI
10.1177/1049732314568322Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84949503943 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 5 CitationsAbstract
Since the mid-1990 s, many developing countries have introduced and expanded the availability of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) to persons living with HIV (PLH). However, AIDS-related mortality continues to be high particularly among drug users. In this article, we present results from in-depth interviews with 13 HIV medical providers and 29 crack cocaine and alcohol using PLH in El Salvador. Providers endorsed negative attitudes toward substance using PLH and warned PLH that combining cART with drugs and alcohol would damage their livers and kidneys resulting in death. Upon diagnosis, PLH received little information about HIV treatment and many suffered depression and escalated their drug use. PLH reported suspending cART when they drank or used drugs because of providers' warnings. Substance using PLH were given few strategies and resources to quit using drugs. Messages from medical providers discourage drug users from initiating or adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and may contribute to treatment abandonment.
Author List
Dickson-Gomez J, Bodnar G, Petroll A, Johnson K, Glasman LAuthors
Julia Dickson-Gomez PhD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinLaura R. Glasman PhD Associate Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Andrew Petroll MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveAttitude of Health Personnel
Comorbidity
El Salvador
Female
HIV Infections
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Qualitative Research
Substance-Related Disorders
