Screening for Hazardous Alcohol Use and Depressive Symptomatology Among HIV-Infected Patients in Nigeria: Prevalence, Predictors, and Association With Adherence

Abstract

Scores from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) administered to both antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced and -naive adults in HIV care in Nigeria were evaluated for association with participant characteristics and ART adherence measured by pharmacy records. Participants included 222 ART-experienced and 177 ART-naive adults, of whom 47 (12%) had AUDIT ≥8, 29 (7%) an AUDIT ≥10, 52 (13%) a CES-D ≥16, and 25 (6%) a CES-D ≥21. An elevated AUDIT score was more frequent among ART-naive and men, while disclosure of HIV status to others was associated with lower scores. An elevated CES-D score was more frequent among ART-naive and those with lower educational level, while disclosure of HIV status and choosing to be interviewed in English rather than Hausa was associated with lower scores. An elevated CES-D score was associated with poor adherence.