Citation
Wang, Yan; Karver, Tahilin Sanchez; Berg, Carla J.; Barrington, Clare; Donastorg, Yeycy A.; Perez, Martha; Gomez, Hoisex; Davis, Wendy W.; Galai, Noya; & Kerrigan, Deanna L. (2023). Substance Use and Depression Impede ART Adherence among Female Sex Workers Living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. AIDS and Behavior, 27(7), 2079-2088. PMCID: PMC10225324Abstract
Female sex workers (FSW) have worse HIV outcomes in part due to lower anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Substance use and depression are important barriers to ART adherence, yet few studies have assessed these relationships among FSW in longitudinal studies. Cross-Lagged Panel Models and autoregressive mediation analyses assessed substance use (illicit drug use and alcohol use disorders) in relation to ART non-adherence and the mediation role of depressive symptoms among 240 FSW living with HIV in the Dominican Republic. In annual visits (T1, T2, T3), the majority (70%, 66%, and 53%) reported at-risk drinking and 15%, 13% and 9% used illicit drug during the past 6 months. Most FSW (70%, 62% and 46%) had mild-to-severe depression. Illicit drug use predicted later ART non-adherence. This relationship was not mediated via depressive symptoms. Integrated substance use and HIV care interventions are needed to promote ART adherence and viral suppression among FSW.URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03940-xReference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2023Journal Title
AIDS and BehaviorAuthor(s)
Wang, YanKarver, Tahilin Sanchez
Berg, Carla J.
Barrington, Clare
Donastorg, Yeycy A.
Perez, Martha
Gomez, Hoisex
Davis, Wendy W.
Galai, Noya
Kerrigan, Deanna L.