The Role of Alcohol on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Persons Living With HIV in Urban India

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of alcohol use among men living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and examine the association of alcohol use and psychosocial variables on ART adherence. The study was a cross-sectional survey supplemented by medical records and qualitative narratives as a part of the initial formative stage of a multilevel, multicentric intervention and evaluation project.

Method: A screening instrument was administered to men living with HIV (n = 3,088) at four ART Centers using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-consumption questions (AUDIT-C) to determine alcohol use for study eligibility. Alcohol screening data were triangulated with medical records of men living with HIV (n = 15,747) from 13 ART Centers to estimate alcohol consumption among men on ART in greater Mumbai. A survey instrument to identify associations between ART adherence and alcohol, psychosocial, and contextual factors was administered to eligible men living with HIV (n = 361), and in-depth interviews (n = 55) were conducted to elucidate the ways in which these factors are manifest in men's lives.

Results: Nearly one fifth of men living with HIV on ART in the Mumbai area have consumed alcohol in the last 30 days. Non-adherence was associated with a higher AUDIT score, consumption of more types of alcohol, and poorer self-ratings on quality of life, depression, and external stigma. The qualitative data demonstrate that non-adherence results from avoiding the mixing of alcohol with medication, forgetfulness when drinking, and skipping medication for fear of disclosure of HIV status when drinking with friends.

Conclusions: As the demand for ART expands, Indian government programs will need to more effectively address alcohol to reduce risk and maintain effective adherence.