Time to combine intervention with prevention in countries where HIV is also driven by hazardous drinking

Abstract

Comments on an article by M. Schneider et al. (see record [rid]2012-18585-002[/rid]). Schneider et al. devoted their editorial to the underrecognized association between alcohol consumption/ hazardous drinking and HIV prevention or HIV outcomes. They also highlight the missed opportunities for combined prevention and co-treatment of HIV and alcohol related problems, especially in countries where this association is striking. Despite the ever increasing body of evidence showing connections between excessive drinking and both HIV related risky sexual behaviors and HIV treatment adherence, these connections have not been taken into account in major public health policy and HIV prevention plans. In a previous study conducted on a representative sample of 2340 HIV-infected patients in 102 French hospital departments delivering HIV care, 27%were found to have a hazardous level of alcohol consumption. Drinking at this level was associated with both non adherence to ARV and unsafe sexual behaviors with HIV-negative or unknown HIV serostatus partners but as stated by Schneider et al., the variables associated with hazardous drinking and HIV infection are somewhat complex. Schneider et al. remind us that combining interventions for alcohol related problems and HIV prevention is a strategy which policy makers have neglected for too long. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)