Unhealthy Substance Use Behaviors as Symptom-Related Self-Care in HIV/AIDS

• Published in: Nursing & health sciences 2011-03, Vol.13 (1), p.16-26
• Main Authors: Brion, John M., Rose, Carol Dawson, Nicholas, Patrice K., Sloane, Rick, Voss, Joachim G., Corless, Inge B., Lindgren, Teri G., Wantland, Dean J., Kemppainen, Jeanne K., Sefcik, Elizabeth F., Nokes, Kathleen M., Kirksey, Kenn M., Eller, Lucille Sanzero, Hamilton, Mary Jane, Holzemer, William L., Portillo, Carmen J., Mendez, Marta Rivero, Robinson, Linda M., Moezzi, Shanaz, Rosa, Maria, Human, Sarie, Maryland, Mary, Arudo, John, Ros, Ana Viamonte, Nicholas, Thomas P., Cuca, Yvette, Huang, Emily, Bain, Catherine, Tyer-Viola, Lynda, Zang, Sheryl M., Shannon, Maureen, Peters-Lewis, Angelleen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1441-0745; 1442-2018
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-2018.2010.00572.x

The prevalence of symptoms in HIV disease can be associated with HIV disease itself, comorbid illness, and/or antiretroviral therapy. Unhealthy substance use behaviors, particularly substance-use behaviors including heavy alcohol intake, marijuana use, other illicit drug use, and cigarette smoking, are engaged in by many HIV-positive individuals, often as a way to manage disease-related symptoms. This study is a secondary data analysis of baseline data from a larger randomized-controlled trial of an HIV/AIDS Symptom Management Manual. In the present study, the prevalence and characteristics of unhealthy substance use behaviors in relation to HIV/AIDS symptoms are examined. Subjects were recruited from a variety of settings which provide HIV/AIDS care and treatment. The mean age of the sample (n=775) was 42.8 years (SD=9.6) and nearly thirty-nine percent (38.5%) of the sample was female. The racial demographics of the sample were: 28% African American, 28% Hispanic, 21% White/Caucasian, 16% African from Kenya or South Africa, 1% Asian, and 5% self-described as “Other.” The mean number of years living with HIV was reported to be 9.1 years ( SD =6.6).Specific self-reported unhealthy substance-use behaviors were use of marijuana (n= 111; 14.3%), cigarette smoking (n=355; 45.8%), heavy alcohol use (n= 66; 8.5%), and illicit drugs ( n = 98; 12.6%). A subset of individuals who identified high levels of specific symptoms also reported significantly higher substance use behaviors including amphetamine and injection drug use in addition to heavy alcohol use, cigarette smoking, and marijuana use. Implications for clinical practice include assessment of self-care behaviors, screening for substance abuse, and education of persons related to self-management across the trajectory of HIV disease.