Trends of HIV Risk Behaviors in a Cohort of Injecting Drug Users and Their Sex Partners in Miami, Florida, 1988–1998

Abstract

A cohort of 111 injection drug users (IDUs) and their sex partners was assessed in 1988 concerning risk behaviors for HIV and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Ten years later, in 1998, the cohort was reassessed using the same instrument. All who were HIV negative in 1988 were retested by blood draw for antibodies to HIV. A paired analysis was utilized to determine individual changes in risk behaviors for three serostatus groups--those who remained HIV negative (long-term HIV negatives), seroconverters, and those positive in 1988 (long-term HIV positives). Incidence was twice as high for sex partners (37.5%) as for IDUs (18.0%). Drug and needle use risk behaviors, except crack use, showed decreases; sexual risk behaviors were less amenable to change. Knowledge significantly increased among the long-term HIV negatives and seroconverters but not among those HIV positive in 1988. This analysis demonstrates the need for continued intervention among IDUs and their sex partners.

Profile of male Brazilian injecting drug users who have sex with men

“…Such findings corroborate the statement by some authors that interventions targeting the IDUs population should focus on issues related to their sexual activity and not only risk behaviors related directly to injecting drugs 27,28 . There is an evident need to learn more about the motives leading IDUs to be exposed to sexual risk.…”

“…Various factors appear to be associated with resurgence of the HIV epidemic in the MSM IDUs population, partially because IDUs sexual risk behaviors appear not to have decreased to the same extent for their risky injecting practices 27,28 . In addition, drug use (both injecting and non-injecting) is frequently associated with unsafe sexual practices 8,29,30 and relations aimed at obtaining drugs and/or money in the attempt to finance a costly habit and addiction 8 .…”

Poverty, unstable housing, and HIV infection among women living in the United States

“…For instance, injection drug users who are HIV positive inject at higher rates than injectors who are HIV negative, with similar rates of sharing used syringes [29]. In addition, high-risk sexual behavior is common after the initiation of ART among drug users with HIV infection [30].…”

The HIV transmission gradient: relationship patterns of protection

“…Sexual transmission is the source for most current HIV cases in the United States, for both men and women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004). Yet, interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviors have been relatively unsuccessful, compared to injection risk reduction interventions Booth et al, 1993;Chitwood & Comerford, 1990;Fisher & Fisher, 1993;Liebman et al, 1992;Longshore et al, 1993;McCoy et al, 2005;Neaigus et al, 1994). This pattern emphasizes the importance of understanding the motivations that underlie successful sex risk reduction.…”