181625 Differences in injection risk behaviors: A comparison between MSM IDU and non-MSM IDU

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 10:45 AM

Karin Elizabeth Tobin, PhD , Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Errol Fields, MPH , Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Carl Latkin, PhD , Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
     
Background: Men who have sex with men and inject drugs (MSM IDU) are a high-risk group for acquiring or transmitting HIV. Of few studies on MSM IDU, samples were majority white race and cocaine/methamphetamine injectors. The purpose of this study was to compare drug and sex-related HIV risk among MSM IDU and male IDU who do not have sex with men (N-MSM) among a predominantly African American sample of heroin and cocaine users.

Methods: Data for this study comes from a larger social network study of IDUs in Baltimore, MD. Participants were recruited using street-based outreach methods. Eligible participants completed a baseline survey and were tested for HIV. The sample (n=430) includes male IDU who reported having at least 1 sex partner in the prior 90 days. Those reporting sex with another male were categorized as MSM (n=28, 7%).

Results: The majority were African American (80%), unemployed (88%), injected heroin in the past 6 months (80%) and tested HIV seronegative (88%). Among MSM, sexual identity ranged from straight (46%), bisexual (29%) and homosexual (25%). MSM was associated with younger age, HIV positive status, and exchanging sex. No statistical differences were observed on drug use frequency or use of needle exchange programs. In unadjusted analysis, MSM was associated with increased use of needles (p<0.01) and cookers after others (p<0.05) as compared to N-MSM.

Conclusions: Culturally tailored interventions are needed for MSM IDU that address multiple risk behaviors and particularly stress reduction of injection-related risks.

Learning Objectives:
Attendees will be able to describe differences in injection HIV risk behaviors between MSM IDU and non-MSM IDU

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injection Drug Users

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was lead in conceiving the research question, data analysis and writing of the abstract
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Injection Drug Use and HIV: Innovative Approaches
See more of: HIV/AIDS