Patterns of alcohol use and associated characteristics and HIV-related outcomes among a sample of African-American women living with HIV

Abstract Background Alcohol use is common among people living with HIV and negatively impacts care and outcomes. African-American women living with HIV are subject to vulnerabilities that may increase risk for alcohol use and associated HIV-related outcomes. Methods We used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of an HIV-related stigma-reduction intervention among African-American women living with HIV in Chicago and Birmingham (2013-2015). Patterns of alcohol use [any use, unhealthy alcohol use (UAU), heavy episodic drinking (HED)] were measured using the AUDIT-C. We assessed demographic, social, and clinical characteristics which may influence alcohol use and HIV-related outcomes which may be influenced by patterns of alcohol use in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results Among 220 African-American women living with HIV, 54% reported any alcohol use, 24% reported UAU, and 27% reported HED. In bivariate analysis, greater depressive symptoms, low religiosity, low social support, marijuana, and crack/cocaine use were associated with patterns of alcohol use (p  Conclusions Findings suggest any and unhealthy alcohol use is common and associated with poor HIV-related outcomes in this population. Regular alcohol screening and intervention should be offered, potentially targeted to subgroups (e.g., those with other substance use).