Nonadherence among HIV-infected injecting drug users: the impact of social instability

Anne-Déborah Bouhnik1, Margaret Chesney, Patrizia Carrieri

  • 1Regional Center for Disease Control of Southeastern France (ORS PACA), Marseilles, France.

The authors tested the impact of social instability on adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among patients infected with HIV through injection drug use (IDU; MANIF2000 cohort). In the study, they analyzed sociodemographic baseline characteristics to develop an indicator of social instability. Information concerning adherence to HAART was collected through questionnaires during a 2-year follow-up period. Factors associated with nonadherence were studied in two different groups: 1) patients who had stopped injection drug use (ex-IDUs) and who were not in drug maintenance programs (DMT) during the entire follow-up period, and 2) those who were still opiate dependent. Among the 210 eligible patients, 114 were classified as ex-IDUs and 96 as opiate dependent. Ex-IDUs reported nonadherence behaviors in 96 of 384 visits (25.0%), while opiate-dependent patients were nonadherent in 111 of 308 visits (36.0%; p = .02). Among ex-IDUs, the only factor associated with nonadherence was social instability, while among opiate-dependent patients, injection behavior was the only determinant of nonadherence behavior. For opiate-dependent patients, DMT may enhance adherence to HAART, but only if it is successful in reducing abuse of injection practices. For ex-IDUs, it is very important that the management of social difficulties be taken into account to increase adherence to HAART.

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Drug Dependence01:17

Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
Importance of Need for Affiliation01:25

Importance of Need for Affiliation

The need for affiliation is a fundamental human motive that drives individuals to form and maintain interpersonal relationships. This universal drive varies in intensity among individuals due to genetic predispositions and life experiences, shaping it into a relatively stable personality trait. Social inclusion enhances emotional well-being by fulfilling the need for affiliation, whereas social exclusion leads to distress, negative emotions, and cognitive impairments.Psychological and Emotional...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep01:24

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...