Kara S. Riehman, PhD¹, Wendee Wechsberg, PhD¹, William A. Zule, DrPH¹, Wendy K.K. Lam, PhD¹, Shelley A. G. Francis, MPH, CHES², Shirley Owino, BA², and Rachel Ellerson, BS¹. (1) Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Interventions, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, (919) 788-8028, kriehman@rti.org, (2) School of Public Health, Dept. of Maternal & Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 401 Rosenau Hall, 4th Floor, Campus Box 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400

A significant proportion of HIV infections occur among young drug users and their steady sexual partners. However, little is known about the association between relationship dynamics and HIV risk within steady relationships in this group. We examine the association between relationship characteristics and HIV risk among young adult drug users. Methods: 50 drug users aged 18-25 and their adult sexual partners were recruited through street outreach in Durham County and from a methadone clinic in Wake County, North Carolina and interviewed at recruitment. Results: Preliminary data from the first 20 couples indicate high levels of risk: Individuals reported an average of 12.7 lifetime sexual partners. Only 15% reported consistent condom use in the previous 30 days with their current partner, and 75% reported never using condoms in the past month. 47% reported concurrent (overlapping) sexual partnerships involving their current partner. Only 28% reported having told their partners they had sex with someone else. In addition, those who reported sexual concurrency were no more likely to have used condoms with their previous partner than those who did not report concurrency. Despite the high rate of sexual concurrency, individuals reported high commitment to their current relationship, and 88% reported thinking of themselves in a monogamous relationship with their current partner. Additional data regarding relationship power and concordance of partner reporting will be presented. Conclusions: Despite perceptions of monogamy and commitment in steady relationships, young adult drug users are at risk for HIV resulting from partners’ concurrent sexual relationships and low condom use.

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

• identify and measure high-risk sexual behavior in steady relationshps of young adult drug users;
• articulate the procedures for analyzing couple-level data;
• develop data collection and analysis strategies to asses HIV risk among young adult drug-using couples.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Sexuality

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.