摘要：We interviewed 1038 HIV-positive inpatients in public hospitals in Miami, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia, to examine patient factors associated with use of HIV care, use of antiretroviral therapy, and unprotected sexual intercourse. Multivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression models showed that use of crack cocaine and heavy drinking were associated with never having had an HIV-care provider, high-risk sexual behavior, and not receiving antiretroviral therapy. Inpatient interventions that link and retain HIV-positive persons in primary care services could prevent HIV transmission and unnecessary hospitalizations. Approximately one third of HIV-infected persons wait to seek care until their disease has progressed enough that they need acute treatment. 1 , 2 These persons obtain care in emergency departments and hospital inpatient wards, and they tend not to be retained in HIV outpatient care. Patients hospitalized for HIV-related complications are more likely to have advanced disease 3 and high viral loads, putting them at increased risk of transmitting HIV to their sexual and drug-using partners. 4 Thus, hospitals provide a potentially valuable setting for connecting HIV-infected patients to care and prevention services. To examine patient factors associated with engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors and utilization of HIV care, we conducted interviews with hospitalized HIV-infected patients in 2 large inner-city public hospitals.
