Prevalence and factors associated with alcohol drinking among HIV and tuberculosis co-infected patients in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

There is scarcity of information on the burden of alcohol use among people living with HIV in Tanzania despite the high burden of HIV. We examined the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol use among HIV and tuberculosis (TB) co-infected patients in fourteen clinics with highest notification of TB in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, between October 2010 and December 2011. Proportions were used to describe the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of various participant characteristics with alcohol use. Out of the 515 participants, 38 (7.4%) were current alcohol drinkers, 183 (35.5%) were ex-drinkers and the rest, 294 (57.1%) denied ever drinking alcohol. Approximately, 15% of past and current drinkers were classified as heavy drinkers. Patients with normal BMI, cigarette smokers, and those with higher income were more likely to be drinkers. Similarly, compared to civil servants, those in petty trade and other occupations were more likely to be drinkers. We concluded that, the level of current alcohol use among HIV positive people receiving pulmonary TB treatment in this population was low. Nevertheless, alcohol use screening and assessment should be added as an integral part of service provision in HIV clinics given the effect of alcohol on health outcomes among HIV positive patients.