Purpose: We assessed the use of HIV care among HIV-seropositive crack cocaine smokers and other active drug users in Miami-Dade County, FL.
Methods: Personal interviews were conducted with 327 adults recruited from inner city neighborhoods. Cross-tabulations and logistic modeling were used to analyze the relationship between selected variables and use of HIV care.
Results: One-third of respondents had not seen a provider for HIV-related health care in the past 12 months. Among those who had seen a provider, only 33.8% were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Factors associated with utilization of HIV-related health care were age, race, having a usual source of care, health insurance, time elapsed since time of diagnosis, and reports of moderate to extreme interference of pain with daily activities.
Implications: These findings suggest the need to develop, implement, and evaluate intervention strategies to improve use of HIV medical care among active drug users.