The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #41864

Laura Broyles, MD¹, Theresa Perlis, PhD², Peter Kerndt, MD, MPH³, Edward V Morse, PhD⁴, Lawrence Ouellet, PhD⁵, S.A. Strathdee, PhD⁶, David Vlahov, PhD⁷, Roberto Valverde, MPH¹, Andrea Swartzendruber¹, and Richard S Garfein, PhD, MPH¹. (1) Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Epidemiology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-E45, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-639-6144, lbroyles@cdc.gov, (2) National Development and Research Institutes, Inc, 71 West 23rd Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010, (3) Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Los Angeles County Health Department, 600 Commonwealth Ave, suite 1801, Los Angeles, CA 90005, (4) Department of Pediatrics SL-37, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112, (5) Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, (6) School Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, E6010, Baltimore, MD 21205, (7) New York Academy of Medicine, Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York 10029-5293, NY

Objective: To examine the relationship between new homelessness and HIV risk behaviors in young IDUs. Methods: IDUs aged 18-30 were recruited in five U.S. cities during 1997-1999 and completed interviewer-administered questionnaires at baseline and 6-month follow-up visits. We compared demographic and behavioral factors of those who became homeless since the baseline visit and those who remained housed. Results: Of 1062 IDUs who presented for follow-up, 656 (62%) reported stable housing at baseline interview. Of those, 117 (18%) reported new homelessness at follow-up (53% men, 47% women). Univariate analysis revealed no significant differences in baseline demographics, duration of injection, or HIV status between those who became homeless and those who remained housed. Baseline sex and drug use behaviors also did not differ. At follow-up, however, newly homeless men and women were more likely (p<0.05) than those who remained housed to smoke crack >5 times daily. Newly homeless women were also more likely to report sharing cookers, cotton, or rinse water (72% vs. 51%, p=0.01), sharing needles (45% vs. 23%, p=0.002), having >5 sex partners (36% vs. 19%, p=0.005), sex trade (38% vs. 20%, p=0.003), and sex without a condom with high-risk partners (69% vs. 41%, p=0.0002). Newly homeless men were more likely to report injecting cocaine and heroin together (40% vs. 24%, p=0.007), but also more likely to use needle exchange (73% vs. 59%, p=0.039). Conclusions: Homelessness at follow-up was strongly associated with increased reporting of HIV-associated risk behaviors, with women more likely to increase high-risk sex. Programs targeting newly homeless young adults should address the potential for increased HIV risk.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the relationship between new homelessness and HIV risk behaviors in young IDUs
• List risk behaviors among young IDUs that are associated with homelessness and how they differ between genders

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Homeless

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.