Background: While their absolute numbers are small, young female IDU's have compounded HIV risks which are often complicated by homelessness and issues around power in their interpersonal relationships. We know little about the actual patterns of risk acquisition in this population. This research investigates how different networks; sex, drug and social networks, affect risk or, alternatively, provide an avenue for the acquisition of protective behaviors. Methods: 200 young IVDU's were recruited in Hollywood, CA; females were over sampled. After completion of a structured interview respondents were asked for a sex, drug and social network referral. Nearly 2 referrals per individual were made, resulting in a total of 330 respondents, suggesting highly dense, overlapping networks. Information obtained included personal history, behavior data, perceptions about their various network member's risk and protective HIV behaviors, questions about violence, power, residential stability and settings in which risk behaviors occur. Results: Preliminary results suggest that during the previous month nearly 79% had sex; 85% had injected drugs; 78% were currently homeless and 47% had ever engaged in prostitution. Compared to their risk over the past year respondents reported less direct risk in the past 30 days. However, significant needle sharing still occurs; women share with less partners but more regularly with a main partner using the needle second. While the highly overlapping networks suggest a compounded risk pattern of both sex and injection drugs, having more widespread networks is also a source of support and prevention information. Implications for creative targeted intervention are discussed.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to understand the compound risks of female vs. male IDU's and see the role of the individual's social networks in both a risk and a protective context
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injection Drug Users
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.