Condomless Sex and Psychiatric Comorbidity in the Context of Constrained Survival Choices: A Longitudinal Study Among Homeless and Unstably Housed Women

AIDS Behav. 2019 Mar;23(3):802-812. doi: 10.1007/s10461-018-2280-5.

Abstract

We sought to identify the prevalence and independent correlates of condomless sex within a cohort of community-recruited homeless and unstably housed cisgender adult women who were followed biannually for 3 years (N = 143 HIV+ , N = 139 HIV-). Nearly half (44%) of participants reported condomless sex in the 6 months before baseline, which increased to 65% throughout the study period. After adjusting for having a primary partner, longitudinal odds of condomless sex among women with HIV were significantly higher among those reporting < daily use of alcohol or cannabis (AOR = 2.09, p =.002, and 1.88, p =.005, respectively) and PTSD (AOR = 1.66, p =.034). Among women without HIV, adjusted longitudinal odds of condomless sex were significantly higher for those reporting < daily methamphetamine use (AOR = 2.02, p =.012), panic attack (AOR = 1.74, p =.029), and homelessness (AOR = 1.67, p = .006). Associations were slightly attenuated when adjusting for sex exchange. Targeted HIV/STI programs for unstably housed women should address anxiety and trauma disorders, infrequent substance use, and housing challenges.

Tratamos de identificar la prevalencia y las características independientemente asociadas con tener sexo sin condón dentro de una cohorte de mujeres adultas cisgénero sin hogar o con un alojamiento inestable reclutadas en la comunidad, a quienes se les realizó un seguimiento bianual durante tres años (N=143 VIH+, N=139 VIH-). Casi la mitad (44%) de las participantes reportaron haber tenido sexo sin condón en los 6 meses previos al inicio del estudio. Éste aumentó a 65% durante todo el período de estudio. Después de ajustar por tener una pareja estable, las probabilidades longitudinales de tener sexo sin condón entre mujeres con VIH fueron significativamente más altas entre aquellas que informaron consumo no diario de alcohol o cannabis (RMA = 2.09, p = .002 y 1.88, p = .005, respectivamente) y PTSD (RMA = 1.66, p = .034). Entre las mujeres sin VIH, las probabilidades longitudinales ajustadas de tener sexo sin condón fueron significativamente más altas para aquellas que informaron uso no diario de metanfetamina (RMA = 2.02, p = .012), ataque de pánico (RMA = 1.74, p = .029), e indigencia (RMA = 1.67, p = 0.006). Las asociaciones se atenuaron levemente cuando se ajustaron por tener sexo transaccional. Los programas dirigidos a la prevención de VIH / ITS para mujeres alojadas de manera inestable deben abordar los trastornos de ansiedad y trauma, el uso infrecuente de sustancias y los problemas de vivienda.

Keywords: Anxiety; Condomless sex; Housing; Substance use; Trauma; Unprotected sex.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Choice Behavior*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Condoms*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Housing*
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / epidemiology
  • Panic Disorder / psychology
  • Poverty*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Partners
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Unsafe Sex / psychology
  • Unsafe Sex / statistics & numerical data*