Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116493

Melissa A. Davey, MPH, CHES, Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1629 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, 410-502-5368, mdavey@jhsph.edu and Carl A. Latkin, PhD, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Room 737, Baltimore, MD 21205.

Many researchers have shown that communication about HIV prevention topics, specifically sex behaviors, is linked to actual performance of risk reduction behaviors. However, there is limited research examining HIV-related communication among drug injectors. The present study examined the content and context of communication among injectors. Data were collected from participants in the STEP into Action program, a network-based HIV intervention targeted at drug injectors. Preliminary data show that drug injectors talk to their drug partners about a variety of topics such as needle cleaning, needle sharing, condom use, and HIV testing. However, the frequency of these conversations varies by topic. Also, the majority of these conversations come up when drug users are getting high. Communication may also be related to practicing risk reduction behaviors including cleaning needles with bleach, not sharing equipment, and using sterile needles. The findings from this study suggest a need for peer education interventions. Drug injectors can be trained to talk to their drug partners about prevention as well as demonstrate risk reduction strategies.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify which HIV-related topics are discussed among injectors.
• Evaluate the relationship between communication and performance of risk reduction practices among IDUs.

Keywords: Injection Drug Users, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.