The objective of the proposed project is to develop and test a theoretical model of the relationship between conflict and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and related diseases (e.g. tuberculosis) among World Health Organization Member States. The model defines the direct effects of conflict on HIV, and the indirect effects of conflit on HIV spread operating through two sets of indicators; background susceptibility factors (e.g. baseline prevalence of HIV) and vulnerability factors (e.g. substance use) that reflect changes induced by conflict. In this explanatory model, susceptibility and vulnerability factors are hypothesized to serve as moderators and mediators of the conflict-HIV relationship. One vulnerability factor of central interest is substance use including alcohol use, non-injection illiit drug use and especially injection drug use (IDU). Consideration of IDU in explaining the conflict-HIV relationship is important given that IDU accounts for about 10% of the estimated 27 million new HIV infections that occur each year and for 30% of these new infections occurring outside Sub-Saharan Africa. Research attention has focused on the relationship between IDU and HIV, Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tending to overshadow the importance of these diseases associated with non-injection drug use and alcohol use. The proposed project also aims to: (1) identify new and refine existing indicators of susceptibility and vulnerability; (2) examine hypothesized direct and indirect effects of conflict n HIV among relevant subgroups in which the relationship may differ (e.g. Sub-Saharan African vs. Non-Sub-Saharan African countries); and (3) test alternative explanatory models using structural equation modeling. These objectives and aims will be supported by a research training plan that involves learning/enhancing knowledge of advanced epidemiology, biostatistics and HIV and related infectious diseases and global health and training in presentation skills, conduct of research, manuscript writing and preparation of fundable grant proposals, mentoring and receiving training in the responsible conduct of research. This project is of substantial relevance to the research priorities of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, tha is, its focus on prevention and treatment of HIV, including developing intervention strategies, addressing HIV/AIDS, understanding IDU epidemics in different geographic areas, assessing the role of immigration/migration on HIV transmission and research addressing the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and related co-infections and other STIs and tuberculosis, epidemiology, and behavioral, social and economic determinants of HIV/AIDS.

Public Health Relevance

of this project to public health is threefold: (1) understanding how conflict impacts HIV and related disease transmission; (2) identifying conflict-affected populations at risk of increased HIV morbidity/mortality; and (3) developing evidence-based intervention approaches among conflict-affected populations. Specification of the direct and indirect effects of conflict on HIV and related diseases can assist post-conflict peace building missions, national government and non-government agencies in arriving at priorities in public health allocations for HIV interventions among conflict-affected populations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32DA036431-03
Application #
8889650
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Schulden, Jeffrey D
Project Start
2013-08-01
Project End
2016-07-31
Budget Start
2015-08-01
Budget End
2016-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Kerridge, Bradley T; Pickering, Roger P; Saha, Tulshi D et al. (2017) Prevalence, sociodemographic correlates and DSM-5 substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders among sexual minorities in the United States. Drug Alcohol Depend 170:82-92
Saha, Tulshi D; Kerridge, Bradley T; Goldstein, Risë B et al. (2016) Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use and DSM-5 Nonmedical Prescription Opioid Use Disorder in the United States. J Clin Psychiatry 77:772-80
Kerridge, Bradley T; Saha, Tulshi D; Hasin, Deborah S (2016) Armed Conflict, Substance Use and HIV: A Global Analysis. AIDS Behav 20:473-83
Hasin, Deborah S; Kerridge, Bradley T; Saha, Tulshi D et al. (2016) Prevalence and Correlates of DSM-5 Cannabis Use Disorder, 2012-2013: Findings from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III. Am J Psychiatry 173:588-99
Kerridge, Bradley T; Saha, Tulshi D; Chou, S Patricia et al. (2015) Gender and nonmedical prescription opioid use and DSM-5 nonmedical prescription opioid use disorder: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions - III. Drug Alcohol Depend 156:47-56
Kerridge, Bradley T; Tran, Phu; Hasin, Deborah S (2015) Intoxication at last sexual intercourse and unprotected sex among HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals in Uganda: an event-level analysis. AIDS Behav 19:412-21
Hoertel, N; Franco, S; Wall, M M et al. (2015) Mental disorders and risk of suicide attempt: a national prospective study. Mol Psychiatry 20:718-26
Kerridge, Bradley T; Saha, Tulshi D; Hasin, Deborah S (2014) DSM-IV schizotypal personality disorder: a taxometric analysis among individuals with and without substance use disorders in the general population. Ment Health Subst Use 7:446-460
Kerridge, Bradley Townsend; Castor, Delivette; Tran, Phu et al. (2014) Association between intoxication at last sexual intercourse and unprotected sex among men and women in Uganda. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:1461-9