HIV medication adherence, substance use, sexual risk behaviors and psychological distress among younger black men who have sex with men and transgender women: Preliminary findings

Background: In the United Sates, young Black men who have sex with men and transgender women (YBMSM/TW) ages 16 to 29 bear the highest burden of new HIV infections. HIV medication adherence is critical for maintaining the quality of life for infected persons, supporting secondary prevention efforts and reducing community viral loads. However, few studies have examined the relationship between medication adherence and health related factors such as substance use, sexual risk behaviors and psychological distress symptoms among YBMSM/TW. This represents the primary focus of this exploratory study. Methods: B aseline data is from Project nGage, a RCT that enroll ed 86 newly diagnosed YBMSM/TW (age s 18-29). Measures on medication adherence, substance use, sexual risks behaviors and psychological distress symptoms were assessed. Results: Study findings indicated that medication adherence was related to less alcohol use, alcohol desire, alcohol compulsion, and having a partner who used marijuana as a sex drug. Findings also indicated that medication adherence was related to decreased feelings of psychological distress. Study findings did not indicate any relationship between medication adherence and group or unprotected anal sex. Conclusion: Our study findings indicated that HIV medication adherence, among YBMSM/TW was a significant correlate of lower substance use and psychological distress, and that service providers may enhance such gains by promoting medication adherence.