Legal problems and substance use among HIV-infected patients

Abstract

Introduction

There are many studies of HIV-infected patients where have found higher prevalence of substance use disorders than in general population. Moreover some factors, like presence of legal problems, substance abuse and HIV are also frequently related with poorer clinical results.

Objectives/aims

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between substance consumption and presence of legal problems among HIV-infected patients.

Methods

Our study is a cross-sectional case-control survey. Cases were defined as HIV-infected patients who referred presence of legal problems in a sociodemographic questionnaire. Controls were defined as HIV-infected patients who denied presence of legal problems. Both groups were interrogated about illegal substance use (cocaine, heroin, cannabis, stimulants or benzodiazepines) and alcohol problematic use during previous year. Logistic regression was employed as statistical analysis. Results were adjusted for age, gender and race.

Results

Our sample was compound by 63 patients: 44 controls and 19 cases. A statistical signification was found between illegal substance use variable and presence of legal problems (P = 0.003) but not with alcohol problematic use. The condition of illegal substance use during previous year increased the risk to have legal problems 5.353 times. Another important result was found in gender, the condition of male increased the risk to have legal problems 2.32 times than female condition.

Conclusions

In our sample, substance use (cocaine, heroin, cannabis, stimulants or benzodiazepines) during previous year was related to have more legal problems. Gender, specifically male condition, also was linked with more risk to have legal problems.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.