Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the influence of alcohol on adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and quality of life, of HIV-infected individuals.
Methods
A cross-sectional study investigated 114 people with HIV using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), a Questionnaire to Assess the Compliance to Antiretroviral Treatment (CEAT-VIH), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument - HIV Bref (WHOQOL-HIV Bref).
Results
Adequate adherence to therapy (63.2%) and low alcohol consumption (89.4%) were observed. There was a significant association between the harmful use of alcohol and the past history of use of this substance (p=0.03). The Physical (p=0.01) and Social Relations (p=0.01) domains of quality of life were affected by at-risk alcohol consumption.
Conclusion
Low alcohol use did not have negative repercussions on adherence to antiretroviral therapy; however, the harmful use of alcohol altered domains of quality of life.
HIV; Alcoholism/therapy; Alcoholism/complications; Quality of life; Antiretroviral therapy, highly active