A Social Network Profile and HIV Risk Among Men on Methadone: Do Social Networks Matter?

Abstract

The paper describes structural and HIV-related network characteristics and examines associations between these various social network domains and HIV risk behaviors among a sample of 356 men randomly selected from a methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) in New York City. Multiple logistic regression analyses suggest that (1) a higher level of perceived sexual risk among network members, referred to as Balters[ in this study, was associated with an increased likelihood of the participant engaging in sexual risk behaviors; (2) participants who indicated that they exchanged encouragement with a higher number of network alters about using condoms were less likely to report engaging in unprotected sex; and (3) participants who indicated that they talked about HIV risks with a higher number of network alters were less likely to engage in unprotected sex in the past 6 months. Collectively, these findings support the notion that networks may influence the adoption of risk reduction strategies in this population. Implications of the findings for HIV prevention network interventions for men in MMTPs are discussed.

Examining the Temporal Relationship Between Criminal Justice Involvement and Sexual Risk Behaviors among Drug-Involved Men

“…Being arrested likely disrupts social networks and social capital, 37 leading to altered networks that may influence norms and practices of HIV risk reduction strategies. [38][39][40][41] Even short-term incarceration may expose men to risks such as unprotected sex within the correctional setting or high-risk sexual encounters upon release. [42][43][44] Understanding how arrest and short-term incarceration may impact subsequent unprotected sex is subject to further research which can test these and other hypotheses.…”

Sexual Difficulties in People Living with HIV in France—Results from a Large Representative Sample of Outpatients Attending French Hospitals (ANRS-EN12-VESPA)

“…Having several people living with HIV in one's social network was independently associated with sexual difficulties. Studies on the impact of the HIV social network show a higher level of perceived HIV difficulties and sexual risk behaviour, for example, among network members (El-Bassel et al 2006). In various domains, the social network brings social support and has positive implications for prevention (Amirkhanian et al 2003(Amirkhanian et al , 2005Persson et al 2002).…”

The Relationship of Sexual Dyad and Personal Network Characteristics and Individual Attributes to Unprotected Sex Among Young Injecting Drug Users

“…Factors at the social network level are also important to examine, because the sexual transmission of HIV and similarly transmitted pathogens, such as HBV, occurs through sexual behaviors occurring in the context of intimate social contact . Previous studies have investigated the role of social networks as they relate to injecting and other drug use risk, and also the effect of overall social network characteristics on the sexual risk behavior of drug users (El-Bassel et al 2006;Latka et al 2006;Sherman and Latkin, 2001). Little is known though about the relationship of partnership characteristics between an IDU and his or sex partner (dyad) to engaging in unprotected sex.…”