Document 0953
 DOCN  M94A0953
 TI    Alcohol-related factors associated with HIV infection among alcoholics.
 DT    9412
 AU    Boscarino JA; Avins AL; Woods WJ; Lindan CP; Clark W; Hulley SB; Hudes
       ES; University of California, San Francisco 94105.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):243 (abstract no. PC0335). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371622
 AB    OBJECTIVES: We previously reported alcoholics were at risk for HIV
       infection (JAMA, 1994; 271:515-518). We now examine if alcohol-related
       factors predict HIV serostatus among alcoholics entering treatment
       independent of behavioral risk factors, such as IDU, history of STDs,
       number of sexual partners, and gay sex. METHODS: Clients entering 2
       voluntary residential and 3 outpatient alcoholism treatment centers in
       the San Francisco area underwent an interview and blind serotesting for
       HIV antibodies (response rate = 68%). Five alcohol factors (coded as
       4-point indicator variables, scored low to high) were used in logistic
       regressions to predict HIV status: severity of alcoholism at intake,
       attitudes about socializing in bars, and alcohol expectancies related to
       risk-taking, enhanced sex, and enhanced self-confidence when drinking.
       Heterosexual and gay male alcoholics were analyzed separately. RESULTS:
       A total of 952 subjects entered the study; 76% were males, 16% gay men,
       50% African Americans, and 10% Latinos. The overall seroprevalence was
       6.3% (95% CI = 4.8-8.0). Among male and female heterosexuals, HIV
       infection was positively associated with moderate alcoholism severity
       (OR = 3.3, p = .04) and negatively associated with high risk-taking
       beliefs (OR = .17, p = .05). Among gay men, HIV infection was positively
       associated with attitudes about socializing in bars (OR = 13.9, p =
       .002) and negatively associated with moderate risk-taking beliefs (OR =
       .07, p = .02). These associations were independent of demographics
       (gender, education, age, race) and HIV behavioral risk factors (IDU,
       history of STDs, number of sexual partners, gay sex), and knowledge of
       current HIV status. CONCLUSION: Among alcoholics, alcoholism severity
       and attitudes/beliefs about drinking are associated with HIV infection
       independent of demographic and known behavioral risk factors. Although
       these associations appear different for gay male and heterosexual
       alcoholics, our study suggests that it is important to consider
       different aspects of alcohol abuse as indicators of increased risk of
       HIV infection.
 DE    Alcoholism/*COMPLICATIONS  Ethnic Groups  Female  Human  HIV
       Infections/*ETIOLOGY  Male  Risk Factors  Risk-Taking  Sex Behavior
       MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).