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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 4/2015

01-04-2015 | Original Paper

Syndemic Vulnerability, Sexual and Injection Risk Behaviors, and HIV Continuum of Care Outcomes in HIV-Positive Injection Drug Users

Authors: Yuko Mizuno, David W. Purcell, Amy R. Knowlton, James D. Wilkinson, Marc N. Gourevitch, Kelly R. Knight

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 4/2015

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Abstract

Limited investigations have been conducted on syndemics and HIV continuum of care outcomes. Using baseline data from a multi-site, randomized controlled study of HIV-positive injection drug users (n = 1,052), we examined whether psychosocial factors co-occurred, and whether these factors were additively associated with behavioral and HIV continuum of care outcomes. Experiencing one type of psychosocial problem was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with an increased odds of experiencing another type of problem. Persons with 3 or more psychosocial problems were significantly more likely to report sexual and injection risk behaviors and were less likely to be adherent to HIV medications. Persons with 4 or more problems were less likely to be virally suppressed. Reporting any problems was associated with not currently taking HIV medications. Our findings highlight the association of syndemics not only with risk behaviors, but also with outcomes related to the continuum of care for HIV-positive persons.
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Metadata
Title
Syndemic Vulnerability, Sexual and Injection Risk Behaviors, and HIV Continuum of Care Outcomes in HIV-Positive Injection Drug Users
Authors
Yuko Mizuno
David W. Purcell
Amy R. Knowlton
James D. Wilkinson
Marc N. Gourevitch
Kelly R. Knight
Publication date
01-04-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 4/2015
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0890-0

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