The risk of HIV infection in a national sample of women with injection drug-using partners.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. This study reports on a large, national cohort of women with injection drug-using sex partners. Information is provided on demographic characteristics; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk factors, including unprotected sex and incidence of sexually transmitted diseases; use of noninjected drugs; HIV serostatus; and other selected health variables. METHODS. A sample of 5162 heterosexual women was recruited for a national acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) research and demonstration project. A structured interview was administered, and the women had the option of undergoing HIV testing. Statistical analyses compared three groups on variables of interest: women with single sex partners, women with multiple partners, and women with multiple partners who exchanged sex for drugs and/or money. RESULTS. These groups differed significantly on virtually all of the demographic and risk variables examined. Women with multiple partners who exchanged sex for drugs and/or money were at higher risk for HIV than women in the other groups, even when selected demographic variables were controlled. CONCLUSIONS. Research is needed on the efficacy of prevention efforts involving these diverse groups of women at risk for AIDS.

Geographic proximity, policy and utilization of syringe exchange programmes

“…Since there is no sam pling fram e or procedure that allows a probability-based sam ple of IDU s across a large urban area such as lower M anhattan (although efforts to system atize sam pling has allowed for dem onstrating to a degree the representativeness of the ® nal sam ple) (Carlson et al, 1994) the subjects are not a probability sam ple of a population. Nevertheless, conventional statistical tests have often been used with street-recruited sam ples to provide an indicator of whether statistical associations are likely to be due to chance (Estilo et al, 1994;Friedm an et al, 1995;Tortu et al, 1994;W atters & Biernaki, 1989; W illiam s, 1990).…”

HIV infection and patterns of risk among women drug injectors and crack users in low and high sero-prevalence sites

“…There is a great need for innovative interventions targeted at a sub-group of wo m en with serious m edical and social needs. W om en who exchange sex are at increased risk for hom elessness and violence, are m ore likely to have been incarcerated, to have ID U sex partners and to be disaf® liated from m edical and social service providers and drug treatm ent services (DeHovitz et al, 1994;M aher, 1997;Ratner, 1993;Tortu et al, 1994). Traum atic experiences (e.g.…”

The Dynamics of Substance Use and Sex Networks in HIV Transmission

“…Early identification of the increased risk of acquiring HIV infection by the female sex partners of injecting drug users (IDUs) was an integral step to recognizing the substance use-sexual transmission connection. [2][3][4] Throughout the 1990s, researchers documented the importance of substance use in HIV sexual transmission. Findings were especially compelling for crack cocaine.…”