A Cross-Sectional Study of Depressive Symptoms and Risky Alcohol Use Behaviors Among HIV Primary Care Patients in New York City.

Algur, Yasemin; Elliott, Jennifer C.; Aharonovich, Efrat; Hasin, Deborah S.

An association between problem drinking and depression among HIV-infected individuals has been previously demonstrated; however, which specific risky drinking behaviors are associated with higher levels of depression has not yet been investigated. Using an adult sample of HIV-infected primary care patients (78% male, 94% Black or Hispanic), we investigated whether depressive symptoms are associated with various risky drinking behaviors. Participants were administered the Beck Depression Inventory-II to assess depressive symptoms, and the Alcohol Use Disorders and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-IV to evaluate alcohol involvement. Participants with depressive symptoms (26%) were at higher risk for alcohol dependence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.8; 95% CI 2.0-7.2], regular binge drinking (AOR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1-3.8), and regular daytime drinking (AOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2-3.8), in comparison with their non-depressed counterparts. Because both depression and unhealthy drinking negatively affect medication adherence and clinical outcomes, a better understanding of the association between depression and certain risky drinking behaviors among HIV-infected individuals is vital to improving their care and prognoses.

NEW York (State); ALCOHOLISM; BLACK people; COMPARATIVE studies; CONFIDENCE intervals; MENTAL depression; DRINKING behavior; DRUGS; HISPANIC Americans; PSYCHOLOGY of HIV-positive persons; PATIENT compliance; PRIMARY health care; PSYCHOLOGICAL tests; BINGE drinking; TREATMENT effectiveness; CROSS-sectional method; ODDS ratio

AIDS & Behavior, 2018, Vol 22, Issue 5, p1423

1090-7165

Academic Journal

10.1007/s10461-017-1986-0