Increased alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with HIV from racial/ethnic minority groups in South Florida Article

Ramirez-Ortiz, Daisy, Ward, Melissa K, Sheehan, Diana M et al. (2023). Increased alcohol use during the COVID-19 pandemic among people with HIV from racial/ethnic minority groups in South Florida . JOURNAL OF ETHNICITY IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE, 1-12. 10.1080/15332640.2023.2259340

cited authors

  • Ramirez-Ortiz, Daisy; Ward, Melissa K; Sheehan, Diana M; Fernandez, Sofia B; Jean-Gilles, Michele; Ladner, Robert; Trepka, Mary Jo
  • Ramírez-Ortiz, Daisy; Ward, Melissa K; Sheehan, Diana M; Fernandez, Sofia B; Jean-Gilles, Michele; Ladner, Robert; Trepka, Mary Jo

abstract

  • People with HIV (PWH) from racial/ethnic minority groups may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Exacerbated COVID-19-related stressors may lead to maladaptive coping mechanisms such as increased alcohol use. This study examined socioeconomic and psychosocial predictors of increased alcohol use during the first year of the COVID-19 Pandemic among PWH from racial/ethnic minority groups in South Florida. Data were collected from Ryan White Program clients during October 2020-January 2021 using a cross-sectional phone survey, and were analyzed using logistic regression modeling. Among 139 participants, 20% reported increased alcohol use. Findings showed that being unable to buy needed food (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-11.31) and spending more time caring for children (aOR: 5.22, 95% CI: 1.61-16.88) was associated with increased alcohol use during the Pandemic. Providing support to alleviate food insecurity and manage caregiving burden during public health crises like the COVID-19 Pandemic might help prevent increases in alcohol use among PWH.

publication date

  • September 20, 2023
  • September 13, 2023

keywords

  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • HIV
  • Life Sciences & Biomedicine
  • Science & Technology
  • Substance Abuse
  • alcohol
  • stressors

Location

  • England

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

publisher

  • ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

start page

  • 1

end page

  • 12