Health disparities affecting persons living with HIV and using substances in China.
Joyce P Yang, Chengshi Shiu, Lin Zhang and 4 others
PMID 37722797WHAT IT FOUND
Using two or more substances in the past week was associated with more physical symptoms and higher maximum symptom severity among 168 people living with HIV in China.
Using one substance was associated with maximum symptom severity only.
Key findings
01Multiple substance use was associated with a greater total number of physical symptoms and higher maximum symptom severity, including after adjustment for demographic and clinical factors.
02Using one substance was not significantly associated with total number of symptoms, but was associated with higher maximum symptom severity in both models.
03Compared with not enough income, having just enough or more than enough income was associated with lower total symptom number and lower maximum symptom severity.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show that substance use caused the symptoms. Substance use was grouped broadly, including alcohol and tobacco, so the analysis could not distinguish effects of particular substances. Participants came from two major cities and leading infectious disease hospitals, so results may not apply to people living with HIV in other parts of China. Symptoms and substance use were self-reported, and one participant was excluded for missing data.
Declared interests
The authors declared no competing interests. The publication types indicate NIH extramural research support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that substance use caused more symptoms. This was a cross-sectional survey, so physical symptoms could also have led to substance use as a way of coping.