The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

4095.0: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - Board 2

Abstract #71820

Drug risk behaviors and HIV testing behavior among adolescents and young adults

Grace L. Reynolds, DPA(c), Jennifer A. Klahn, MA, Catherine M. Branson, BA, and Dennis G. Fisher, PhD. Center for Behavioral Research & Services, California State University, Long Beach, 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813, 562-495-2330, greynol2@csulb.edu

Objective: To investigate HIV testing patterns and risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults less than 21 years of age who received testing through a publicly funded mobile testing program in Long Beach, CA. Methods: Descriptive data are presented on number of prior HIV tests, test results, and drug risk behaviors. Chi-square analyses were used to determine relationships between race/ethnicity and risk behaviors. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine differences in mean number of lifetime HIV tests and race/ethnicity. Results: In 2001, 58 individuals between the ages of 13 and 20 were tested. The majority (53%) were White 31/58), 26% were Latino, 12% were African American, 3.5% were Native American, 3.5% were Asian, and 2% were Other race/ethnicity. Twenty-nine (50%) were male, 28 were female and 1 was a pregnant female. 91% reported their reasons for their most recent HIV test as risky behavior, and the remainder “just wanted to know.” 14% reported recent heroin injection and 19% reported using heroin but not injecting it. 26% reported recent crack cocaine use and 48% reported recent amphetamine use. 69% reported at least one previous HIV test (range 0-8). There was a significant relationship between race/ethnicity and heroin use, both injected and non-injected, with Whites being significantly more likely to use heroin in either form (injected heroin c(5)=10.10, p = .07; non-injected heroin c(5) = 10.86, p=.05). There were no race/ethnicity differences in the mean number of lifetime HIV tests. Conclusion: Perception that they are at high risk appears to motivate the majority of young adults who participate in HIV testing.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Drug Injectors, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Young Injection Drug Users Poster Session

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA