ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine patterns in HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among male injecting drug users (IDU) who are men who have sex with men (MSM), and other men (OM) who are IDU.
Methods: Male IDU were interviewed and HIV tested at a New York City drug detoxification clinic from 1990-1999. Analyses compare HIV prevalence and risk/protective behaviors among MSM IDU and OM IDU within and between the first period (1990-1994; MSM: n=111, OM: n=1481) and second period (1995-1999; 58 MSM, 910 OM) of data collection.
Results: HIV seroprevalence was higher among 76 MSM IDU than among 917 OM IDU in the first period (OR=1.64, p=0.041), declined approximately 15% in both groups, and remained higher (although not significantly) among 48 MSM IDU than among 712 OM IDU in the second period (OR=1.55, p=0.144). MSM IDU were more likely to engage in syringe sharing, both distributive (OR=1.43, p=0.026), and receptive (OR=1.97, p=0.001), and to have received some form of payment in exchange for sex with a woman (OR=2.94, p=0.004). In general, injection risk behaviors declined between the first and second periods in both groups, but sexual risk behaviors did not. MSM IDU maintained a higher risk profile over time than did OM IDU.
Conclusions: HIV prevalence and risk behaviors are declining among male IDU in New York City. MSM IDU continue to engage in higher risk injection behaviors, and are more likely to be infected with HIV than are OM IDU. Improved intervention approaches for MSM IDU should be developed.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to describe, discuss, and compare changes in risk behaviors and HIV prevalence among a) male injecting drug users who have sex with men, and b) other male injecting drug users
Keywords: Injecting Drug Use, Gay Men
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.