Overview

Abstract (English)

Background HIV infection and substance use synergistically impact health outcomes of people with HIV. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of substance use among women living with HIV (WLWH) and compared them with expected values from general data. Methods Cigarette smoking, frequency of alcohol consumption, last-month non-prescribed cannabis use (vs. last-year use), and last 3 months regular (=>once/week) and occasional (20 cigarettes/day (SPD: 11.6% [9.8, 13.6]), regular non-prescribed cannabis use (SPD: 8.0% [4.1, 8.6]), regular crack/cocaine use (SPD: 16.7% [13.1, 20.9]), regular/occasional speed use (SPD: 2.4% [1.2, 4.7]), and heroin use (SPD: 11.2% [8.3, 15.0]). However, WLWH reported lower frequencies of alcohol consumption and binge drinking than their counterparts in the general population. Conclusions Cigarette smoking and illicit drug use, but not alcohol use or binge drinking, were more prevalent in WLWH than would be expected for Canadian women with a similar age and ethnoracial group profile. These findings may indicate the need for women-centered harm reduction programs to improve health outcomes of WLWH in Canada.

Abstract (French)

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