OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV infection are occurring at epidemic rates in the southern region of the United States. Depression and substance use disorders are associated with sexual risk behavior, so we investigated whether regionwide societal rates of major depression or substance use disorders could explain the higher southern rates. METHODS: Data came from two surveys, the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES; 1991-1992, N = 42,862) and the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; 2001-2002, N = 43,093). Outcome variables included Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) major depressive disorder and substance use disorders (abuse/dependence), binge drinking, and lifetime drinker versus abstainer. Southern region was contrasted to all others. Because the STD/HIV epidemics affect blacks, especially young black women (18-44 years) disproportionately, we examined the relationships among region, depression, and substances in these subpopulations separately. RESULTS: DSM-IV alcohol and cannabis abuse or dependence and being a lifetime drinker were significantly lower in the south than elsewhere in both the NLAES and NESARC with similar trends for DSM-IV cocaine abuse/dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Counter to hypotheses, higher societal rates of depression or substance use disorders cannot account for the epidemic of STDs and HIV infection in the southern United States. Further studies are needed to determine if alcohol and drug disorders, being more deviant when they occur in the south, are more strongly associated with sexual risk behavior there than elsewhere.
OBJECTIVE: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV infection are occurring at epidemic rates in the southern region of the United States. Depression and substance use disorders are associated with sexual risk behavior, so we investigated whether regionwide societal rates of major depression or substance use disorders could explain the higher southern rates. METHODS: Data came from two surveys, the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES; 1991-1992, N = 42,862) and the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; 2001-2002, N = 43,093). Outcome variables included Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) major depressive disorder and substance use disorders (abuse/dependence), binge drinking, and lifetime drinker versus abstainer. Southern region was contrasted to all others. Because the STD/HIV epidemics affect blacks, especially young black women (18-44 years) disproportionately, we examined the relationships among region, depression, and substances in these subpopulations separately. RESULTS: DSM-IV alcohol and cannabis abuse or dependence and being a lifetime drinker were significantly lower in the south than elsewhere in both the NLAES and NESARC with similar trends for DSM-IV cocaine abuse/dependence. CONCLUSIONS: Counter to hypotheses, higher societal rates of depression or substance use disorders cannot account for the epidemic of STDs and HIV infection in the southern United States. Further studies are needed to determine if alcohol and drug disorders, being more deviant when they occur in the south, are more strongly associated with sexual risk behavior there than elsewhere.
Authors: Jessica F Magidson; Aaron J Blashill; Melanie M Wall; Ivan C Balan; Shuai Wang; C W Lejuez; Carlos Blanco Journal: J Psychosom Res Date: 2014-01-03 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Jessica M Sales; Erica Smearman; Jennifer L Brown; Gene H Brody; Robert A Philibert; Eve Rose; Ralph J DiClemente Journal: J HIV AIDS Soc Serv Date: 2015-06-09
Authors: Hind A Beydoun; Jessica Dail; Hala Tamim; Bethrand Ugwu; May A Beydoun Journal: J Womens Health (Larchmt) Date: 2010-10-15 Impact factor: 2.681
Authors: Simone C Gray; Tyler Massaro; Isabel Chen; Christina J Edholm; Rachel Grotheer; Yiqiang Zheng; Howard H Chang Journal: AIDS Care Date: 2015-09-02