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Food insecurity and antiretroviral adherence among HIV positive adults who drink alcohol

Journal of Behavioral Medicine volume 37, pages 1009–1018 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Food insecurity is associated with HIV treatment non-adherence and poor health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. Given the poor nutritional status common to people who drink alcohol, food insecurity may be particularly problematic for HIV positive individuals who drink alcohol. To examine food insecurity among HIV positive men and women who drink alcohol and its association with antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, health outcomes and health service utilization. Adults living with HIV (N = 183) in Atlanta, Georgia who reported alcohol use in the previous week and were receiving ART participated in a 12-month cohort. Participants were recruited from infectious disease clinics and social services to complete computerized interviews, monthly-unannounced pill counts to monitor ART adherence, and daily cell-phone delivered interactive-text assessments for alcohol use. Forty-three percent of participants experienced food insecurity during at least one month of the study period. Food insecurity was independently associated with suboptimal ART adherence and less suppressed HIV viral load over. Individuals who experienced food insecurity also had histories of more medical and psychiatric hospitalizations, and greater mental health problems. Food insecurity is prevalent among alcohol using people receiving ART and food insecurity is associated with treatment non-adherence, poor health outcomes, and increased medical and psychiatric hospitalizations.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by an America Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) Challenge Grant from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) RC1AA018983.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Seth C. Kalichman, Tamar Grebler, Christina M. Amaral, Megan McKerney, Denise White, Moira O. Kalichman, Chauncey Cherry & Lisa Eaton

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  1. Seth C. Kalichman
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  2. Tamar Grebler
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  3. Christina M. Amaral
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  4. Megan McKerney
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  5. Denise White
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  6. Moira O. Kalichman
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  7. Chauncey Cherry
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  8. Lisa Eaton
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Correspondence to Seth C. Kalichman.

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Kalichman, S.C., Grebler, T., Amaral, C.M. et al. Food insecurity and antiretroviral adherence among HIV positive adults who drink alcohol. J Behav Med 37, 1009–1018 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-013-9536-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-013-9536-3

Keywords

  • HIV treatment
  • Antiretroviral adherence
  • Food insecurity
  • Alcohol use