Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Pamela Ogata, MPH and Saloniki Osorio, MA. Planning and Research Division, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy, 600 S. Commonwealth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90005, (213) 351-8398, pogata@ladhs.org

Objective: Crystal meth use has increased over that past five years in Los Angeles County among clients receiving HIV prevention services from County-funded programs. However, to effectively thwart both epidemics additional co-factors, mediators and moderators were identified to gain a larger scope of this behavioral construct. Methods: An annual Countywide Risk Assessment Survey (CRAS) was used to assess sexual risk and drug use behaviors of individuals receiving HIV prevention services including persons living with HIV/AIDS from 2001 to 2004. Approximately 2,000 face-to-face interviews were completed each year. This cross-sectional study used a two-tiered sampling methodology which included both stratified and systematic sampling. Results: In 2004, crystal meth use was highest among transgenders, and over 51% of transgenders were HIV positive compared to females and males (8.5% and 19.5% respectively, p<0.0001). Transgenders were also less likely to have a high school diploma and were more likely to be foreign born in this sample. Compared to females and males, transgender clients were significantly more likely to report past sexual abuse (38.0%, 29.3% vs. 67.8%, p<0.0001), physical abuse (38.2%, 25.1% vs. 65.4%, p<0.0001), and verbal abuse (23.0%, 31.3% vs. 90.7%, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Gender mediates the relationship between crystal meth use and risk for HIV. Additionally, social constructs/injustices (sexual, physical, verbal abuse) that affect the relationship between crystal meth and risk for HIV also show disparities by gender. These factors should be incorporated into future prevention interventions to effectively control both epidemics.

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

• Describe the association of crystal methamphetamine use and HIV status overall and stratified by gender
• Identify mediators and moderators associated with crystal methamphetamine use and HIV status
• Assess changes in crystal methamphetamine use and HIV status between 2001 and 2004.

Keywords: Gender, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered