2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

336635
Healthcare Utilization and Sexual Health Information Seeking Among a Sample of Puerto Rican Female IDU


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 1:10 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Erika Collazo-Vargas, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Sciences,, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Brian Dodge, PhD, Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, IN
Lucia Guerra-Reyes, PhD, MPH, MA, Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Rasul Mowatt, PhD, Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Studies, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, PhD, MPHE, MCHES, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
Ilia Otero-Cruz, School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
Background.  Women who are intravenous drug users (IDU) are in need of improved health services, including HIV prevention. Among Puerto Ricans, drug misuse and risky sexual practices are the most common HIV risk categories both on the island and in the US mainland.  Previous research has identified disparities in access to and healthcare utilization for IDUs living in Puerto Rico (PR), including significantly fewer drug treatment and health services when compared to those living in the US. However, limited research has been conducted among female IDU in PR.

Methods. In collaboration with government and community-based organizations we conducted in-depth interviews with 35 women who had injected drugs in the past 12 months. Interviews were thematically analyzed and assessed barriers and facilitators to healthcare access, including HIV prevention and care and sexual health information seeking. 

Results. Findings demonstrate that female IDUs face structural, social and personal barriers to accessing HIV and other health services, yet many feel empowered to overcome those barriers when it comes to their own sexual health needs. Most participants expressed positive views of the role and importance of sexual health in their lives.  

Conclusions. Female IDUs in PR face numerous complex challenges when accessing healthcare services and seeking sexual health information. Results illustrate how drug use and rehabilitation can mediate female IDU’s HIV risks and understanding of sexual health. Findings suggest the need for outreach services and intervention research leading to HIV and STI risk reduction and greater sexual health awareness for female IDUs.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture

Learning Objectives:
Identify barriers and facilitators to healthcare access among female Puerto Rican IDU as well as describe their experiences seeking sexual health information.

Keyword(s): Health Care Access, Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have 5 years of experiences conducting research in the realm of HIV. I have been the principal or co-principal investigator in studies focusing on sexual health and drug use among minority populations. I have completed both my PhD and MPH.
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.

Back to: 3263.0: Politics, Policies, and HIV in Puerto Rico: Tales from the Colony