Exploring Associations Between Social Factors and Current Substance Use Among Older African Americans with HIV

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• HIV Medicine
• Addiction Research

Background:

• Substance use is common in older adults with HIV, negatively impacting HIV care.
• Social factors such as resource insecurity, stigma, and discrimination may influence substance use.
• Limited research exists on the impact of social factors on substance use among older African Americans with HIV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between demographic and social factors and substance use.
• To examine substance use patterns in older African Americans living with HIV.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study involving 52 participants (≥50 years) in Ohio who identified as Black or African American.
• Online survey assessing past three-month use of alcohol, opioids, cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamine-type stimulants.
• Logistic regression models analyzed associations between substance use and HIV-related stigma, food/housing insecurity, discrimination, incarceration history, employment, and demographics.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of past three-month substance use reported: cannabis (67.3%), risky alcohol use (85.0%), cocaine (53.8%), amphetamine-type stimulants (51.9%), and opioids (50%).
• HIV-related stigma, discrimination, and housing insecurity were associated with increased odds of opioid, cocaine, and amphetamine use.
• Discrimination, food insecurity, and housing insecurity were linked to higher odds of cannabis use and risky alcohol consumption.

Conclusions:

• Further research is essential to fully understand how social factors influence substance use in this population.
• Interventions targeting identified social determinants can potentially reduce substance use among older adults with HIV.
• Understanding these associations can inform the development of effective public health strategies.