The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #45968

V. Anna Gyarmathy, MS, MPH¹, Alan Neaigus, PhD¹, Maureen Miller, PhD², and Samuel R. Friedman, PhD¹. (1) Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York City, NY 10010, 212-845-4413, Gyarmathy@ndri.org, (2) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 600 West 168th Street, PH-18, New York City, NY 10032

Objectives: To compare, by gender, the sexual risk of HIV and other infections (STIs) among new injecting drug users (IDUs) who do not trade sex.

Methods: Between February/1999-December/2001, 181 IDUs injecting six years or less and aged 18-30 were recruited in New York City. They were interviewed about their sex risk behaviors (vaginal or anal) and networks in the prior six months. High-risk sex network members are defined as IDUs, men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSMs), or people with HIV/AIDS. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated using logistic regression.

Results: The sample was 81% white, 31% female; the mean age was 22.8 years (SD=3.2); 2% were HIV positive, 19% HBV positive, 34% HCV positive. Women were more likely than men to engage in unprotected sex (65%vs.43%;OR=2.5;95%CI=1.3,4.7), have high-risk sex networks (75%vs.44%;OR=3.9;95%CI=1.9,7.7), and to have both unprotected sex and high-risk sex networks (60%vs.27%;OR=3.9;95%CI=2.0,7.6). Having both unprotected sex and high-risk sex networks was associated among women with having both multiple sex partners and injecting for less than 3 years (aOR=10.9;95%CI=1.9,64.0), and, among men, receptive syringe sharing (aOR=4.7;95%CI=1.7,13.0), and having multiple sex partners (aOR=4.3;95%CI=1.8,10.3).

Conclusion: Among new IDUs, women are at considerably greater risk than men of STIs. Moreover, among women, recent initiates with multiple sex partners, and, among men, those with multiple sex partners and those who share syringes are at greater risk of STIs. Interventions among new IDUs should especially target women, particularly recent initiates, those with multiple sex partners, and men who share syringes.

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

• Understand both behavioral and network risks for the sexual transmission of HIV and other infections among female and male new injectors.
• Describe the extent and correlates of sexual behavior and network risk
• Use this information to develop or assess HIV and other infections sex risk reduction interventions among injecting drug users who have injected for six or fewer years.

Keywords: Gender, 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.