The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62503

Jodi A. Lapidus, PhD¹, Karen McGowan, BA², and Nora Mattek, BA¹. (1) Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Mail Code CB669, Campus Services Building 669, Portland, OR 97239, (503) 494-1167, lapidusj@ohsu.edu, (2) Project Red Talon, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, 527 SW Hall St, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97201

Objective: To determine the behaviors that urban AI/AN engage in that put them at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Methods: Investigators conducted interviews with urban AI/AN to ascertain the composition of the high-risk AI/AN population, and developed an anonymous respondent-driven sampling (RDS) technique to recruit participants. Focus groups modified the CDC HIV Testing Survey (HITS) to address issues unique to urban AI/AN. Six trained interviewers administered AI/AN HITS, which took approximately 35-40 minutes each.

Results: The RDS technique tapped into high-risk heterosexual (HET) and the IV drug using (IDU) AI/AN (46% of 222 respondents). Forty percent of the IDU also had multiple sex partners. Seventy seven percent of the HET reported other types of drug/alcohol use. Some non-risk respondents appear to have had past high-risk behavior (10% reported hepatitis B and/or C). Over 60% had received free condoms in the past year. However, most IDU and female HET reported they used condoms “rarely” to “less than half the time”. Several individuals had used alcohol or drugs prior to their last sexual encounter, and 2 reported they had a sexual partner who was HIV+. Eighty-three percent had been tested for HIV at least once.

Conclusions: In this urban setting, the main risk behaviors of AI/AN are high-risk heterosexual behavior and intravenous drug use. Reducing alcohol and drug use should also prevent high-risk sexual activity. Methods to encourage effective condom use in the community are needed. Although many have been tested for HIV, continued testing for high-risk AI/AN should be strongly encouraged.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the predominant behaviors that urban AI/AN engage in that put them at risk for HIV/AIDS.
• Describe a sampling technique that can be used to recruit high-risk AI/AN.
• Articulate the goals of HIV Testing Surveys.
• Describe how HIV testing surveys can be modified for use in AI/AN communities.

Keywords: American Indians, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.