The Use of Drugs in HIV-Positive Adults Paper Example

Siconolfi et al. (2013) examined the psychosocial and demographic links associated with the use of drugs in HIV-positive adults. The diverse sample consisted of heterosexual, gay, and bisexual adults older than 50 years. The scholars postulated that the use of cigarette and alcohol was common amongst people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Therefore, the study sought to investigate any demographic and psychosocial correlates defining the use of drugs for PLWHA. There was a less significant relationship between substance use and psychosocial dimensions such as well-being and depression but a strong correlation with gender and sexual orientation. The findings implied that while depression is considered critical it does not have a strong effect on substance when compared to gender and sexual orientation. The scholars proposed a framework for HIV-patient management where the social inequalities and existing structural impediments are included to reduce cases where seropositive individuals are predisposed to drug use.

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Siconolfi et al. (2012) evaluated the how sexual health screening is perceived and carried out in an ethnically and racially diverse population of young gays and bisexuals. Screening of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is important in reducing health disparity and improving healthcare outcomes. A sample of 590 YMSM from New York showed that out of the 46% sexual health screening, only 16% involved rectal screening for STIs and the ethnic minority was highly represented. The researchers, therefore, proposed an approach to improving screening for this population. According to Siconolfi et al. (2012), having a framework that enhances provider knowledge while promoting adherence to the existing guidelines and creating awareness through personalized education for YMSM patients will improve healthcare outcomes.

Storholm et al. (2014) assessed how depression and compulsive behavior related to sexual risk-taking as depicted in urban bisexuals and gays. The study involved he P18 Cohort where the researchers considered the trends defining young gays, YMSM, and bisexual when they are subjected to depression. The scholars analyzed depressive symptoms as presented by this population, sociodemographic, and sexual risk-taking tendencies. The cross-sectional data from the 509 participants showed that there is a significant relationship between compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) among bisexuals, YMSM, and young adults in New York and depression. In such a case, when depression and CSB coexist then the affected individual is at a high exposure to sexual risk-taking. The research, based on syndemic theory as well as the minority stress theory, recommended the establishment of healthcare interventions that recognizes the role and effect of mental health and social settings on the level of sexual risk vulnerability among YMSM, bisexuals, and gays.

Kapadia et al. (2015) investigated the longitudinal trends characterizing the young sexual minorities in line with unprotected sexual behavior perspectives. The research, based on P18 Cohort, used a latent growth curve model to present behavioral patterns as depicted in this population. The variables incorporated in the analysis included the race factor (White, Mixed, and Black) and sex without a condom. The researchers found out that out of the YMSM participants, the Whites and Mixed races reported a high prevalence of unprotected oral sex. On the other hand, the Black YMSM showed a declining trend while the Whites had a high anal sex prevalence. The scholars recommended that measures and interventions tailored for YMSM should consider the effect of other factors other than individual-level sexual-related behaviors and incorporate the socioeconomic conditions as well as the race or ethnicity factors.

Halkitis et al. (2018) majored on beliefs regarding the end of AIDS and HIV risk factors among sexual minorities. The study examined these factors as the drivers of PrEP use and its functionality. The 492 sexual minority participants revealed their behavioral beliefs, their understanding of how PrEP works, and how they understood HIV risks. The data collected for analysis showed a high level of PrEP awareness. However, other factors such as the prevalence of use were depicted only in 14% of the respondents. PrEP uptake has been linked to significant challenges that the young sexual minority face. In this study, the researchers proposed an intervention-based approach that goes beyond the structural factors, which should include sensitization of this population to eradicate faulty beliefs and perceptions. The scholars also affirmed that the population also require an education program to enhance their understanding of how PrEP works to eliminate any potential risks of misconceptions.

D'Avanzo et al. (2017) researched the personality, psychosocial, and mental factors and how they occur especially in sexual minority men. The study considered young emerging adults. The P18 Cohort research included the assessment of 528 sexual minority men between the age of 21 and 25. The multivariate data from this group was used to determine the relationship between personality traits and sociodemographic factors as well as psychosocial dimensions. The study indicated that personality and race or ethnicity varied significantly. A similar trend was also evident when comparing personality traits and psychosocial factors such as homosexuality bias. Based on the outcome of the analysis, the researchers proposed an all-encompassing approach where the mental needs of the sexual minority men, their personality variation, and psychosocial limitations are included when studying and caring for this population.

Moreira, Halkitis, and Kapadia (2015) examined the emergence of a new generation in line with the current sexual identity dynamics defining Sexual Minority Men (SMM). The researchers investigated this trend as presented in adult men. The P18 Cohort study that included 491 participants sought to determine the emerging longitudinal variations characterizing sexual orientation. The study showed that the current variations are subject to the Kinsey Scale with a shift towards homosexuality. The trend was common with Hispanic SMM as opposed to Mixed race SMM. The scholars proposed a proper assessment of the existing link between current sexual orientation developments and possible sexual risk tendencies among SMM. The study ascertained that such findings could lead to essential revelations that could be used design interventions for SMM to reduce escalated mental, physical, and sexual externalities.

For Ristuccia et al. (2018), alcohol use to intoxication motivations as a behavioral factor for young adult gays and other sexual minority populations. Factors that enhance alcohol use to intoxication have a health care implication in young men who have sex with men (YMSM) group. In this case, this research was geared towards identifying motivational factors in line with intimate, convivial, and negative coping alcohol use. The findings from the multinomial logistic regression showed that YMSM with high scores on the three motivational subscales used for assessment were at a higher risk of recent alcohol use to intoxication. Black and Hispanic YMSM showed lower intoxication odds when compared to White YMSM. The researchers, therefore, ascertained the need for an intervention approach in health care practice and clinical research that guarantees a comprehensive assessment of YMSM motivations for alcohol use to reduce health risks associated with drinking.

Ristuccia et al. (2018b) investigated the problem of sexualized drug use in the United States among the sexual minority young adults. The research outlined the co-occurrence of sexual behaviors under the influence of drugs. The study also included condomless sex as part of the key variable to assess the effect of substance use characterizing the sexual minority population. The P18 Cohort analysis used event-level data, which was categorized in line with the socioeconomic and race factors. Based on the revelations of the evaluation, it was noted that the sexual minority young adults who engage in sex while high on substance are likely to have condomless sex and multiple sexual partners. Therefore, the researchers proposed that interventions for this population should include a framework meant to reduce HIV/STI risks by creating awareness and behavioral change regarding sexualized drug use.

Meyers et al. (2014) also conducted a P18 sub-study to determine the pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV for YMSM (young men who have sex with men). The study that was carried in New York city involved 143 individuals. The data from the cross-sectional analysis was used to determine the willingness of YMSM to use biomedical prevention measures. The study was restricted to long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) agent. Nevertheless, the scholars did not factor the racial factor. The research discovered that over 80% showed a high level of willingness to use LAI-PrEP. However, the mode of administration was significantly a considerable factor. The data showed that 79.2% preferred an injection after every three months as opposed to taking daily pills. In line with the findings, the paper recommended the use of LAI-PrEP should be considered when seeking to reduce the daily dosing challenges that YMSM face.

Perez-Figueroa et al. (2015) examined how YMSM accepted the uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in line with the socioeconomic characteristics that define racial or ethnic diversity. Data from 100 respondents was used to outline the attitudes and perception of YMSM towards PrEP uptake. Responses from the semi-structured interviews disclosed that YMSM had several beliefs and perceptions that encouraged PrEP uptake. Factors that encouraged PrEP uptake included perceptions regarding HIV transmission, considering that unprotected sex is enjoyable, and skewed thought about romantic relationships. On the other hand, a significant number of barriers could also be noted according to the responses gathered. High cost, the need for adherence, and limited accessibility are part of the barriers that YMSM face regarding PrEP uptake. Therefore, the paper concluded that implementation programs should incorporate behavioral, social, and structural dimensions when addressing the issue of maximizing the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis.

Stults al. (2017) investigated the safety perceptions after the 2016 shooting in Pulse Nightclub. The focus of the study was on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) population. The assessment also included how safety perception related to other factors such as race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identities amongst LGBTQ graduates. The researchers found out that the gender identities, as well as sexual orientations, defined the perceptions of peer safety for LGBTQ population. Moreover, the findings showed that gender identities' subcommunities, especially the marginalized groups, showed a higher concern for the safety of their peers and their security more than the ordinary sexual minority subgroups. Therefore, the study recommended the establishment of intervention programs that accommodate the safety and security concerns of the LGBTQ population to mitigate the health outcomes associated with anxiety and fear. In this proposed framework, the scholars pointed out the training the care providers should include counseling and referrals assessment skills based on a case-by-case evaluation of LGBTQ patients whenever they visit a facility.

Conclusion

Stults et al. (2015) looked at other factors apart from depression and race that affected YMSM. In their study, the researchers examined intimate partner victimization as portrayed in this population. Th...