Predictors of HIV Sexual Risk Behaviors in a Community Sample of Injection Drug-Using Men and Women

Abstract

Injection risk practices and unprotected sex between injection drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners are responsible for a high proportion of AIDS cases and new HIV infections in the United States. The purpose of this study was to investigate the links between drug use behaviors and psychosocial factors with high-risk sexual behaviors among male and female IDUs. Understanding the determinants of sexual risk practices among drug users can lead to the development of more effective programs to prevent sexual HIV and STD transmission. This study enrolled a community sample of 101 IDUs (males = 65, females = 36), primarily African American and unemployed, who injected drugs and had unprotected sex in the past 3 months. The sample was categorized into highest sexual risk (multiple partners and intercourse without condoms) and lower sexual risk subgroups. Univariate analyses showed that IDUs at highest sexual risk had lower sexual risk reduction self-efficacy (p =.01) and were more likely to be African American (p =.02). Drug users at highest sexual risk also used noninjected cocaine and crack more frequently (p =.05), were less likely to inject heroin (p =.04), and tended to more often inject cocaine (p =.05). IDUs at highest sexual risk also tended to more often use crack and methamphetamines. Logistic regression analyses showed that injecting cocaine or crack, sexual risk reduction self-efficacy, and race were independent predictors of sexual risk behavior levels. Sexual risk reduction programs for this population are needed, with HIV prevention programs tailored to specific IDU risk reduction needs.

Unsafe Injection and Sexual Risk Behavior among Injecting Drug Users in Georgia

“…13 Our finding that IDUs practicing higher injection-related risk behavior are more likely to be practicing higher sexual risk behavior is consistent with other research findings. [14][15][16][17][18][19] There is some evidence from other studies in line with our results that those injecting buprenorphine might have lower HIV-related risky injection practices. [20][21] A study carried out recently by Otiashvili et al among IDUs in Georgian needle exchange programs found that two thirds of IDUs injected buprenorphine in the past month and approximately a half of these used it to cope with the symptoms of withdrawal.…”

Concurrent Exposure to Methamphetamine and Sexual Behavior Enhances Subsequent Drug Reward and Causes Compulsive Sexual Behavior in Male Rats

“…Hence, Meth-pretreated males did not have impaired associative memory or reduced sensitivity to LiCl or LiCl-induced illness. It appears that Meth pretreatment caused maladaptive or compulsive sex seeking, despite learned negative consequences, which is in line with human reports (Frosch et al, 1996;Halkitis et al, 2001;McKirnan et al, 2001;Rawson et al, 2002;Somlai et al, 2003;Green and Halkitis, 2006;Springer et al, 2007).…”

Incarceration and High-Risk Sex Partnerships among Men in the United States

“…Drug use is a determinant of high-risk behavior and infection, [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] and substantial proportions of the US prison population report a history of heavy drug and alcohol use. 48 The effect of incarceration on STI/HIV risk may differ by drug use status.…”