Your browser doesn't support javascript.
Change in marijuana use and its associated factors among persons living with HIV (PLWH) during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a prospective cohort.
Wang, Yan; Ibañez, Gladys E; Vaddiparti, Krishna; Stetten, Nichole E; Sajdeya, Ruba; Porges, Eric C; Cohen, Ronald A; Cook, Robert L.
  • Wang Y; Department of Epidemiology, The University of Florida, United States. Electronic address: ywang48@ufl.edu.
  • Ibañez GE; Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, United States.
  • Vaddiparti K; Department of Epidemiology, The University of Florida, United States.
  • Stetten NE; Department of Occupational Therapy, The University of Florida, United States.
  • Sajdeya R; Department of Epidemiology, The University of Florida, United States.
  • Porges EC; Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, The University of Florida, United States.
  • Cohen RA; Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, The University of Florida, United States.
  • Cook RL; Department of Epidemiology, The University of Florida, United States.
Drug Alcohol Depend ; 225: 108770, 2021 08 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1240282
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Emerging literature shows increased drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, limited research has examined the change in marijuana use among persons living with HIV (PLWH). This study aimed to investigate how marijuana use changed in a cohort of PLWH during the first year of the pandemic and identify factors associated with the change.

METHOD:

222 PLWH (mean age = 50.2 ± 11.2, 50.9 % female, 14.5 % Hispanic, 64.7 % Black, 15.8 % White, 5 % other, 80.2 % persons using marijuana [at least weekly use], 19.8 % persons not using marijuana) completed a baseline survey on demographics and behavioral/health characteristics between 2018 and 2020 and a brief phone survey between May and October 2020 that assessed changes in marijuana use and overall/mental health, and perceived risks/benefits of marijuana use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS:

During the pandemic, 64/222(28.8 %) of the whole sample reported increased marijuana use, 36(16.2 %) reported decreased use, and 122(55 %) reported no change. Multinomial logistic regression results indicated that Compared to those reporting no change, increased marijuana use during the pandemic was associated with more frequent marijuana use and PTSD symptoms at baseline, worsened mental health during the pandemic, and not perceiving marijuana use as a risk factor for COVID-19 infection. More frequent marijuana use at baseline was the only factor significantly associated with decreased marijuana use during the pandemic.

CONCLUSION:

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in changes in marijuana use among a considerable proportion (45 %) of PLWH. Future research is needed to understand the temporality of the increases in marijuana use with worsening mental health.
Subject(s)
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: HIV Infections / Pandemics / Marijuana Use / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Year: 2021 Document Type: Article

Similar

MEDLINE

...
LILACS

LIS


Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: HIV Infections / Pandemics / Marijuana Use / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Year: 2021 Document Type: Article