To characterize substance use (SU) and treatment across reproductive life stages among women with HIV (WWH) and women without HIV (WWoH) in the Southern United States, highlighting the significance of addressing health disparities.
Key Findings:
12% reported past-year drug use (9% WWH, 15% WWoH; P = .02).
15% reported hazardous alcohol use (11% WWH, 20% WWoH; P < .001).
37% reported tobacco use (34% WWH, 41% WWoH; P = .10).
45% reported cannabis use (40% WWH, 52% WWoH; P = .001).
Among pregnant women, 7% reported past-year drug use, 12% hazardous alcohol use, 28% tobacco use, and 39% cannabis use.
16% of women with past-year drug use experienced accidental overdose, and 23% used any drug treatment program in the past year.
The most frequently used drug was crack/cocaine (61%).
Interpretation:
Substance use is prevalent among reproductive-age women in the Southern US, with significant rates of stimulant, cannabis, and tobacco use, highlighting the need for integrated care addressing substance use disorders in HIV settings and its implications for public health policy.
Limitations:
The study is based on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias, potentially affecting the accuracy of substance use reporting.
Findings may not be generalizable beyond the Southern US region.
Conclusion:
There is a critical need for implementation studies to explore barriers and facilitators to integrating substance use disorder care into HIV treatment settings tailored for reproductive-age women, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these needs.
by Ayako Wendy Fujita, C Christina Mehta, Qian Yang, Tina T Tisdale, Maria L Alcaide, Aadia Rana, Deborah J Konkle-Parker, Daniel Westreich, Seble G Kassaye, Elizabeth F Topper, Anandi N Sheth
