Sexual risk behavior among injection drug users before widespread availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Melanie L. Rusch, Homayoon Farzadegan, Patrick M. Tarwater, Mahboobeh Safaeian, David Vlahov, Steffanie A. Strathdee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

HIV testing and counseling has been associated with reductions in risk behaviors in some populations. This study examined whether involvement in a long-term study, including exposure to repeated HIV testing and counseling, was associated with increased condom use among injection drug users (IDUs) through a retrospective analysis of an IDU cohort from Baltimore, MD, during 1994-1998. Eligibility included being aged 18 years or older, injecting within 10 years and not having initiated antiretroviral therapy. A logistic model of high versus low risk, based on condom use, was used. Of 322 eligible IDUs, most were male (66%) and African-American (94%). No significant change in the odds of inconsistent condom use was observed with continued study exposure. Condom use remained low, indicating a need for interventions to reduce sexual risks and HIV transmission in this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)289-299
Number of pages11
JournalAIDS and behavior
Volume9
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2005

Keywords

  • Behavior change
  • Condom use
  • IDU
  • Sexual risk

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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