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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Ana Hilde, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Campus Services Building, Portland, OR 97239, 503-577-7769, hildea@ohsu.edu

Women injection drug users (IDUs) are at increased risk for infection with blood borne and sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV and HCV. Their increased exposure is due to high risk practices, including sharing syringes and other injection equipment, exchanging sex for drugs or money, sex with multiple partners and unprotected sex. Recently investigators have found that the character and dynamic of social interactions may be important determinants of risk. This study will employ a cross sectional design, collecting data from 100 women IDUs through a self report questionnaire, to determine if there is an association between social and/or emotional isolation (self report isolation scale) and engagement in HIV/HCV risk behaviors (defined by 15 unsafe sex- and drug-related practices). All subjects will be adult women (18 years of age or older) of any race/nationality who speak English, reside in the Portland Metropolitan area and by self report have injected drugs at least one time over the past 30 days. Study participants will be recruited from existing organizations that provide services to IDUs. Data will be analyzed using Chi-square and T tests and multivariate logistic regression models. This data will provide insight into the motivations for risk behaviors allowing researchers to plan interventions that address issues of social and emotional isolation in order to combat the spread of HIV and HCV.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List the behaviors that contribute to increased risk of HIV and HCV transmission among women injection drug users.
• Realize the different levels of isolation among women injection drug users.
• Understand how social and emotional isolation affect risky behaviors among women injection drug users.

Keywords: Women, Intravenous Drug Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered