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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Hayley D Mark, Annet Davis-Vogel, Helen Navaline, Rosanne Scotti, Rasanjali Wickrema, and David Metzger. Center for the Studies of Addiction, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-746-7363, hmark1@son.jhmi.edu
Injection drug use has directly and indirectly accounted for one-third (32%) of AIDS cases in the United States since 2000 (CDC, 2000). Determining where to locate IDUs who engage in HIV risk behaviors is critical to the effective targeting of HIV prevention activities. Needle exchanges and drug treatment programs have been considered effective in reducing risk among IDUs. However, despite reduced risk, participants in these programs continue to inject drugs. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between HIV risk behaviors and program type from which subjects were recruited. In order to accomplish this, predictive models of risk behavior among IDUs were developed to determine if program type predicts risk behavior. Data from 446 injection drug users recruited from three different program sites (i.e. needle exchange, detoxification, and methadone maintenance) in Philadelphia are presented. Subjects recruited from the needle exchange program had significantly higher sexual and drug risk behavior scores (measured by the Risk Assessment Battery) than subjects recruited from the detoxification programs (t=2.270, p<.024). Subjects recruited from the methadone maintenance treatment program had significantly lower risk scores than subjects recruited from the detoxification program (t=-3.177, p<.002). Age, race, hopelessness (measured by the Beck Hoplessness Scale), and type of drug used were also significant predictors of drug risk behavior. These results suggest that the IDU populations at these different program sites are engaging in different HIV risk behaviors. Thus, the design of HIV prevention activities should be targeted to address such site differences.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Injection Drug Users, 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.