Background: An estimated 20-30% of women injection drug users are women who have sex with women (WSWIDUs). WSWIDUs have been found to be at high risk of acquiring HIV. Objective: To describe patterns of immediate material support affecting HIV risk and protective factors among WSWIDUs. Methods: As part of a large ethnographic study, life history interviews were conducted with WSWIDUs, including questions regarding availability and sources of material support. Results: While our previous analyses demonstrate that many WSWIDUs have close relationships, additional analyses suggest that these relationships provide limited resources. Women indicated that the availability of resources from friends, lovers and family is conditional upon exchanges rather than provided within relationships. We found little correspondence between close relationships and unconditional access to material support. In exchange for a place to stay, women reported obligations including; monetary payment, sex (with women or men), selling drugs, sharing drugs, or agreements to get clean. Some WSWIDUs reported that non-drug using family members, including their children, would provide immediate housing. A significant proportion of women expressed concern about family discovering their drug use, suggesting that women may be reluctant to access these resources. Most WSWIDUs reported that material support, such as money, drugs, and syringes were generally unavailable, even from relationships providing emotional support. Conclusion: Findings suggest possibilities that may help to explain the discrepancy in HIV risk between WSW and non-WSW IDUs: 1) WSWIDUs' personal networks are particularly resource-poor; and/or 2) WSWIDUs' relationships are less likely to involve unconditional sharing of material resources.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injection Drug Users
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.