Citation

Nouaman MN, Vinikoor M, Seydi M, Ekouevi DK, Coffie PA, Mulenga L, Tanon A, Egger M, Dabis F, Jaquet A, Wandeler G. J. Int. AIDS Soc. 2018; 21(12): e25202.

Affiliation

Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1002/jia2.25202

PMID

30549445

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Excessive alcohol consumption leads to unfavourable outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV), including reduced adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and engagement into care. However, there is limited information on alcohol consumption patterns among PLHIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

METHODS: Using a cross-sectional approach, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) was administered to PLHIV attending HIV clinics in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Senegal and Zambia (2013 to 2015). Hazardous drinking was defined as an AUDIT-C score ≥4 for men or ≥3 for women, and binge drinking as ≥6 drinks at least once per month. The prevalence of binge drinking was compared to estimates from the general population using data from the World Health Organization. Factors associated with binge drinking among persons declaring any alcohol use in the past year were assessed using a logistic regression model to estimate odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: Among 1824 PLHIV (median age 39 years, 62.8% female), the prevalence of hazardous alcohol use ranged from 0.9% in Senegal to 38.4% in Zambia. The prevalence of binge drinking ranged from 14.3% among drinkers in Senegal to 81.8% in Zambia, with higher estimates among PLHIV than in the general population. Male sex (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.7), tobacco use (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0 to 2.9) and living in Zambia were associated with binge drinking.

CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption patterns varied widely across settings and binge drinking was more frequent in HIV-positive individuals compared to the general population. Interventions to reduce excessive alcohol use are urgently needed to optimize adherence in the era of universal ART.

© 2018 The Authors. Journal of the International AIDS Society published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International AIDS Society.

Language: en

Keywords

HIV; alcohol; antiretroviral therapy; binge drinking; sub-Saharan Africa; viral hepatitis