The role of substance use in adherence to HIV medication and medical appointments

摘要

iolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24 years constitute half of all new cases of HIV worldwide (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, 2009). In the United States in 2009, more than 8,000 new cases of HIV were diagnosed in youth ages 13 to 24 years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Further, at the end of 2009, 16,743 cumulative cases of HIV were reported among New York City youth ages 13 to 24 years (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2011). Adherence to HIV medications and adherence to HIV primary care appointments are necessary for good health in this population. Quarterly medical appointments are recommended to monitor CD~(4+) T-cell count, viral load (Dietz et al., 2010), and to address any unmet psychosocial needs among youth. Poor medication and medical appointment adherence has been associated with lower CD~(4+) T-cell counts, higher viral loads, and other factors such as substance use among youth (Dietz et al., 2010).