The impact of alcohol on HIV prevention and treatment for South Africans in primary healthcare
Date
2014-08-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS Publishing
Abstract
Background: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) has substantially reduced morbidity and
mortality for HIV patients. In South Africa, with the largest ART programme globally,
attention is needed not only on the further expansion of ART coverage, but also on factors
which undermine its effectiveness, such as alcohol use.
Objective: Given the decentralised approach of nurse-initiated and -sustained ART in the
South African primary health sector, it is important to document key aspects of alcohol use to
be conveyed to HIV-positive individuals and those at risk for HIV.
Method: This study comprised a narrative review of relevant literature.
Results: Alcohol acts through both behavioural and physiological pathways to impact on the
acquisition, further transmission and then progression of HIV disease. Besides links to risky
sex, alcohol undermines the immune system, raising susceptibility to contracting and then
countering HIV and other infections. There are important drug interactions between alcohol
and ART, or therapies for opportunistic infections and other co-morbidities. Moreover, alcohol
undermines adherence to the medication which is essential for effective ART.
Conclusion: Primary healthcare clinic attendees need evidence-based information on the
detrimental effects of alcohol consumption on HIV infection, which ensue throughout the
clinical course of HIV. This spans the role of alcohol consumption as a risk factor for HIV
infection, HIV replication in infected individuals, a person’s response to HIV infection and
HIV treatment. Primary healthcare workers, especially nurses and HIV counsellors, require
training in order to screen for and provide appropriate interventions for HIV-positive patients,
those on treatment and treatment-naïve patients, who will benefit from reduced alcohol
consumption or the cessation thereof.
Description
CITATION: Schneider, M., Chersich, M., Temmerman, M., Degomme, O. & Parry, C.D. 2014. The impact of alcohol on HIV prevention and treatment for South Africans in primary healthcare. Curationis, 37(1):1-8 (Art. #1137),doi: 10.4102/curationis.v37i1.1137.
The original publication is available at http://www.curationis.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.curationis.org.za
Keywords
Alcoholism -- South Africa, HIV infections -- South Africa -- Prevention, HIV infections -- Treatment -- South Africa
Citation
Schneider, M., Chersich, M., Temmerman, M., Degomme, O. & Parry, C.D. 2014. The impact of alcohol on HIV prevention and treatment for South Africans in primary healthcare. Curationis, 37(1):1-8 (Art. #1137),doi: 10.4102/curationis.v37i1.1137.