Bar Attendance and Alcohol Use Before and After COVID-19 Related Restrictions Among HIV-infected Adults in South-Western Uganda

Alcohol use is especially problematic for people living with HIV (PLWH) and was likely to be impacted by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and its restrictions. In a study of PLWH with latent tuberculosis infection, we measured unhealthy alcohol use with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), phosphatidylethanol (PEth) and bar attendance. We analyzed data collected before and after COVID-19 restrictions, and used Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) logistic regression models to evaluate changes in unhealthy alcohol use. While bar attendance declined from 57.0% before to 38.3% after the restrictions started, multivariable analysis controlling for bar use showed a significant increase in unhealthy alcohol use; the adjusted odds ratio for unhealthy drinking before versus after the restrictions started was 1.37 (95% CI: 0.89-2.12) which increased to 1.64 (95% CI: 1.08-2.50) when bar attendance was added to the model. Decline in bar attendance did not decrease unhealthy alcohol use.

Automated summary

Alcohol use is problematic for individuals with HIV, and it may be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions. Despite a decrease in bar attendance, unhealthy alcohol use increased. This study evaluating the relationship between bar attendance and unhealthy alcohol use is valuable for understanding this issue.