Issues Become Overwhelming

HIV-positive adults who have difficulty adhering to their anti-HIV drug regimens also are more likely to be depressed, to use marijuana and cocaine, and to have unprotected sex than those with better adherence, according to a study in the March edition of the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. Investigators in Atlanta surveyed 391 HIV-positive men and women. They discovered that patients who reported missing doses of their medications during the previous week were also more likely to report depression, a lack of social support, and hopelessness. Drug use also was more common among those missing doses, with 31% reporting using marijuana and 18% using cocaine. About 32% of those with poor adherence reported having unprotected anal or vaginal sex in the prior three months, compared with 19% of those who took their medications on time.