Carly Bridden

Sex Trafficking and Initiation-Related Violence, Alcohol Use, and HIV Risk Among HIV-Infected Female Sex Workers in Mumbai, India

Female sex workers (FSWs) are the group at greatest risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in India. Women and girls trafficked (ie, forced or coerced) into sex work are thought to be at even greater risk because of high exposure to violence and unprotected sex, particularly during the early months of sex work, that is, at initiation. Surveys were completed with HIV-infected FSWs (n = 211) recruited from an HIV-related service organization in Mumbai, India. Approximately 2 in 5 participants (41.7%) reported being forced or coerced into sex work. During the first month in sex work, such FSWs had higher odds of sexual violence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-6.1), ≥ 7 clients per day (AOR, 3.3; 1.8-6.1), no use of condoms (AOR, 3.8, 2.1-7.1), and frequent alcohol use (AOR, 1.9; 1.0-3.4) than HIV-infected FSWs not entering involuntarily. Those trafficked into sex work were also at higher odds for alcohol use at first sex work episode (AOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.2-4.0). These results suggest that having been trafficked into sex work is prevalent among this population and that such FSWs may face high levels of sexual violence, alcohol use, and exposure to HIV infection in the first month of sex work. Findings call into question harm reduction approaches to HIV prevention that rely primarily on FSW autonomy.

Promoting Substance Use Education Among Generalist Physicians: An Evaluation of the Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) Program

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDEducation about substance use (SU) disorders remains inadequate in medical training.OBJECTIVETo describe the Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) program in addiction medicine and to evaluate its impact on chief resident (CR) physicians’ substance use knowledge, skills, clinical practice, and teaching.DESIGNA controlled educational study of CRIT programs (2003, 2004, and 2005) for incoming CRs in generalist disciplines. Intervention CRs were trained to diagnose, manage, and teach about SU. The control CRs sought but did not receive the intervention.PARTICIPANTSEighty-six CR applicants to the CRIT program.MEASUREMENTSBaseline and 6-month questionnaires assessing substance use knowledge, skills, clinical practice, and teaching. Outcomes were compared within groups from baseline to follow-up and between groups at follow-up.RESULTSThe intervention (n = 64) and control (n = 22) CRs were similar demographically. At 6-month follow-up, the intervention CRs reported a significant increase in SU knowledge, confidence, and preparedness to diagnose, manage, and teach and an increase in SU clinical and teaching practices compared to their baseline and control CRs.CONCLUSIONSThis intensive training for chief residents (CRs) improved knowledge, confidence, and preparedness to diagnose, manage, and teach about substance use (SU), affecting both the CRs’ SU clinical and teaching practices. The CRIT program was an effective model for dissemination of SU knowledge and skills to educators in a key position to share this training with a broader audience of medical trainees. This model holds potential to address other high priority medical, yet under-addressed, content areas as well.

Recent cigarette smoking and HIV disease progression: No evidence of an association

Abstract The association between smoking and HIV disease progression has been examined in several studies; however, findings have been inconsistent. We examined the effect of recent cigarette smoking on CD4+ T cell count/µl (CD4 count) and HIV RNA concentration (HIV viral load (VL)) among two HIV-infected cohorts with alcohol problems in Massachusetts in the periods 1997–2001 and 2001–2006 using a prospective cohort design and linear mixed models. Smoking groups were defined as: minimal or non-smokers, light smokers, moderate smokers, and heavy smokers. Age, alcohol use, injection drug use, depressive symptoms, gender, annual income, and antiretroviral therapy adherence were considered as potential confounders. Among 462 subjects, no significant differences in CD4 count or VL were found between smoking groups. Using minimal or non-smokers as the reference group, the adjusted mean differences in CD4 count were: 8.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): −17.4, 33.8) for heavy smokers; −0.1 (95% CI: −25.4, 5.1) for moderate smokers; and −2.6 (95% CI: −28.3, 3.0) for light smokers. For log10 VL, the adjusted differences were: 0.03 (95% CI: −0.12, 0.17) for heavy smokers; −0.06 (95% CI: −0.20, 0.08) for moderate smokers; and 0.14 (95% CI −0.01, 0.28) for light smokers. This study did not find an association between smoking cigarettes and HIV disease progression as measured by CD4 cell count and VL.

Alcohol Consumption and Lipodystrophy in HIV-infected Adults with Alcohol Problems

Lipodystrophy is a common long-term complication of HIV infection that may lead to decreased quality of life and less adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). A complete understanding of the etiology of HIV-associated lipodystrophy has not yet been achieved, although factors related to the virus, per se, and use of ART appear to be related. Alcohol use is common among HIV-infected patients and has biological effects on fat distribution, yet alcohols relationship to HIV-associated lipodystrophy has not been examined. The goal of this clinical study was to assess the effect of alcohol consumption on lipodystrophy in HIV-infected adults with alcohol problems. This was a prospective study (2001-2006) of 289 HIV-infected persons with alcohol problems. The primary outcome was self-reported lipodystrophy, which was assessed at one time point (median 29 months after enrollment). Alcohol use was assessed every 6 months and classified as: abstinent at all interviews; > or = 1 report of moderate drinking but no heavy drinking; 1 or 2 reports of heavy drinking; or > or = 3 reports of heavy drinking. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to the data. Fifty-two percent (150/289) of subjects reported lipodystrophy. Alcohol consumption was: 34% abstinent at all interviews; 12% > or = 1 report of moderate drinking, but no heavy drinking; 34% 1-2 reports of heavy drinking; and 20% > or = 3 reports of heavy drinking. Although not statistically significant, subjects with alcohol use had a higher odds of lipodystrophy (adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence interval: > or = 1 report of moderate drinking, 2.36 [0.89, 6.24]; 1-2 reports of heavy drinking, 1.34 [0.69, 2.60]; > or = 3 reports of heavy drinking, 2.07 [0.90, 4.73]). Alcohol use may increase the odds of developing HIV-associated lipodystrophy among subjects with alcohol problems. However, larger studies are needed to fully elucidate the role and impact of alcohol consumption on the development of this common long-term complication of HIV infection and its treatment.

Mitigating risky sexual behaviors among Russian narcology hospital patients: the PREVENT (Partnership to Reduce the Epidemic Via Engagement in Narcology Treatment) randomized controlled trial.

AIM To assess the effectiveness of a sexual risk reduction intervention in the Russian narcology hospital setting. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS This was a randomized controlled trial from October 2004 to December 2005 among patients with alcohol and/or heroin dependence from two narcology hospitals in St Petersburg, Russia. INTERVENTION Intervention subjects received two personalized sexual behavior counseling sessions plus three telephone booster sessions. Control subjects received usual addiction treatment, which did not include sexual behavior counseling. All received a research assessment and condoms at baseline. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes were percentage of safe sex episodes (number of times condoms were used / by number of sexual episodes) and no unprotected sex (100% condom use or abstinence) during the previous 3 months, assessed at 6 months. FINDINGS Intervention subjects reported higher median percentage of safe sex episodes (unadjusted median difference 12.7%; P = 0.01; adjusted median difference 23%, P = 0.07); a significant difference was not detected for the outcome no unprotected sex in the past 3 months [unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-3.1; adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.7-3.3]. CONCLUSIONS Among Russian substance-dependent individuals, sexual behavior counseling during addiction treatment should be considered as one potential component of efforts to decrease risky sexual behaviors in this HIV at-risk population.

HERMITAGE—a randomized controlled trial to reduce sexually transmitted infections and HIV risk behaviors among HIV-infected Russian drinkers

AIMS This study assessed the effectiveness of HERMITAGE (HIVs Evolution in Russia-Mitigating Infection Transmission and Alcoholism in a Growing Epidemic), an adapted secondary HIV prevention intervention, compared with an attention control condition in decreasing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sex and drug risk behaviors among Russian HIV-infected heavy drinkers. DESIGN We conducted a single-blinded, two-armed, randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up. SETTING The study was conducted in St Petersburg, Russia. Participants were recruited from four HIV and addiction clinical sites. The intervention was conducted at Botkin Infectious Disease Hospital. PARTICIPANTS HIV-infected individuals with past 6-month risky sex and heavy alcohol consumption (n = 700) were randomized to the HERMITAGE intervention (n = 350) or an attention control condition (n = 350). INTERVENTION A Healthy Relationships Intervention stressing disclosure of HIV serostatus and condom use, adapted for a Russian clinical setting with two individual sessions and three small group sessions. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was incident STI by laboratory test at 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included change in unprotected sex and several alcohol and injection drug use (IDU) variables. FINDINGS Participants had the following baseline characteristics: 59.3% male, mean age 30.1, 60.4% past year IDU, 15.4% prevalent STI and mean CD4 cell count 413.3/μl. Assessment occurred among 75 and 71% of participants at 6 and 12 months, respectively. STIs occurred in 20 subjects (8.1%) in the intervention group and 28 subjects (12.0%) in the control group at 12-month follow-up; logistic regression analyses found no significant difference between groups (adjusted odds ratio 0.63; 95% confidence interval = 0.34-1.18; P = 0.15). Both groups decreased unsafe behaviors, although no significant differences were found between groups. CONCLUSIONS The HERMITAGE HIV risk reduction intervention does not appear to reduce sexually transmitted infections and HIV risk behaviors in Russian HIV-infected heavy drinkers compared with attention controls.

Punitive policing and associated substance use risks among HIV-positive people in Russia who inject drugs

Drug law enforcement is part of the HIV risk environment among people who inject drugs (PWID). Punitive policing practices such as extrajudicial arrests for needle possession and police planting of drugs have been described anecdotally in Russia, but these experiences and their associations with risky drug behaviours have not been quantified. This study aims to quantify the burden of extrajudicial police arrests among a cohort of HIV‐positive PWID in Russia and to explore its links to drug‐related health outcomes.

Is cannabis use associated with HIV drug and sex risk behaviors among Russian HIV-infected risky drinkers?

BACKGROUND While cannabis use has been associated with increased HIV drug and sex risk behaviors, its impact on risk behaviors among HIV-infected individuals has not yet been established. METHODS This study examined data from Russian HIV-infected risky drinkers enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention. The primary independent variable was cannabis use (current [past 30 days use], recent past [use but not in past 30 days] vs. no past year use). Primary outcomes were needle sharing and number of unprotected sexual episodes. Secondary outcomes were drug injection, number of injections, and multiple sex partners. Longitudinal regression analyses controlled for age, gender, marital status, education, CD4 count, ART use, risky alcohol use, other drug use, depressive symptoms and randomization group. RESULTS Cannabis use was common with 20% current and 26% recent past use at baseline. In longitudinal analyses current, but not recent past, cannabis consumption was significantly associated with needle sharing (AOR 2.23 current vs. none, 95% CI: 1.46, 3.36), drug injection (AOR 3.05 current vs. none, 95% CI: 2.06, 4.53) and number of injections (adjusted IRR 1.50 current vs. none, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.89). Current and recent past cannabis use were significantly associated with multiple sex partners but not with number of unprotected sex episodes. CONCLUSION Cannabis use was associated with drug and sex risk behaviors among Russian HIV-infected risky drinkers. Inquiry about cannabis use among HIV-infected patients may reveal a patient group at higher risk for sex and drug use behaviors that lead to HIV transmission.

Pain is associated with heroin use over time in HIV-infected Russian drinkers

AIMS To evaluate whether pain was associated with increased risk of using heroin, stimulants or cannabis among HIV-infected drinkers in Russia. DESIGN Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from the HERMITAGE study (HIVs Evolution in Russia-Mitigating Infection Transmission and Alcoholism in a Growing Epidemic), a behavioral randomized controlled trial, with data collected at baseline, 6-month and 12-month visits. SETTING Recruitment occurred at HIV and addiction treatment sites in St Petersburg, Russian Federation. PARTICIPANTS Six hundred and ninety-nine HIV-infected adult drinkers. MEASUREMENTS The primary outcome was past month illicit drug use; secondary outcomes examined each drug (heroin, stimulants and cannabis) separately. The main predictor was pain that interfered at least moderately with daily living. General estimating equations (GEE) logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between pain and subsequent illicit drug use, adjusting for potential confounders. FINDINGS Participants reporting pain appeared to have higher odds of using illicit drugs, although the results did not reach statistical significance [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99, 1.76, P = 0.06]. There was a significant association between pain and heroin use (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.11-2.15, P = 0.01) but not use of other drugs (OR = 0.75; 95% CI =0.40-1.40, P = 0.35 for stimulants and OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.45-1.07, P = 0.09 for cannabis). CONCLUSIONS HIV-infected Russian drinkers who report pain are more likely to use heroin over time than HIV-infected Russian drinkers who do not report pain. Pain may be an unrecognized risk factor for persistent heroin use with implications for HIV transmission in Russia.

Hepatitis C virus infection is associated with painful symptoms in HIV-infected adults

Abstract The study aim was to assess whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) was associated with painful symptoms among patients with HIV. Using data from a prospective cohort of HIV-infected adults with alcohol problems, we assessed the effects of HCV on pain that interfered with daily living and painful symptoms (muscle/joint pain, headache and peripheral neuropathy). Exploratory analyses assessed whether depressive symptoms and inflammatory cytokines mediated the relationship between HCV and pain. HCV-infected participants (n = 200) had higher odds of pain that interfered with daily living over time (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.43; 95% CI: 1.02–2.01; p = 0.04) compared to those not infected with HCV. HIV/HCV co-infected participants had higher odds of muscle or joint pain (AOR 1.45; 95% CI: 1.06–1.97; p = 0.02) and headache (AOR 1.57; 95% CI: 1.18–2.07; p<0.01). The association between HCV and peripheral neuropathy did not reach statistical significance (AOR 1.33; 95% CI: 0.96–1.85; p = 0.09). Depressive symptoms and inflammatory cytokines did not appear to mediate the relationship between HCV and pain. Adults with HIV who are also co-infected with HCV are more likely to experience pain that interfered with daily living, muscle or joint pain, and headaches compared to those not co-infected. Research is needed to explore the association between HCV infection and pain, and to determine whether HCV treatment is an effective intervention.