Alcohol Use Before Sex and HIV Acquisition: A Longitudinal Study in Rakai, Uganda

The researchers in the current study sought to examine the association between alcohol use and HIV acquisition in a population-based cohort in Rakai, Uganda, from 1994 to 2002.

Adjusted incidence rate ratios (adjIRR) and 95 percent confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Poisson multivariate regression. The authors also estimated adjusted prevalence rate ratios to assess the association between use of alcohol and the number of sex partners and consistency of condom use.

HIV incidence in 6,791 men and 8,084 women was 1.4 per 100 person-years and 1.5 per 100 person-years, respectively. "After adjustment for sociodemographic and behavioral factors, the risks of HIV when one partner consumed alcohol before sex were: adjIRR 1.67, 95 percent CI 1.17-2.40 among men, and adjIRR 1.40, 95 percent CI 1.02-1.92 among women, and when both partners consumed alcohol the risks were adjIRR 1.58, 95 percent CI 1.13-2.21 among men, and adjIRR 1.81, 95 percent CI 1.34-2.45 among women." In both sexes, the authors found alcohol use was significantly associated with inconsistent condom use and multiple sexual partners.

Alcohol use prior to sex increases HIV acquisition, the researchers concluded. Thus, HIV prevention programs should include components to reduce alcohol use.

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