|
|
|
|
|
Adi Jaffe, BA, Dennis G. Fisher, PhD, Grace L. Reynolds, DPA(c), and Catherine M. Branson, BA. Center for Behavioral Research & Services, California State University, Long Beach, 1090 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813, 562-495-2330, adijaffe@hotmail.com
Objective: To explore the relationship between designer drug use (DDU) and HIV risk in injection drug users (IDUs). Methods: A sample of 355 IDUs were recruited in Los Angeles County, CA. The Risk Behavior Assessment and Designer Drug Trailer were used to collect data. Results: IDUs who self-identified as gay or bisexual were more likely to have used MDMA (c2 (1, N = 299) = 10.3, p = .001), Ketamine (c2 (1, N = 299) = 35, p < .001), and GHB/GHL (c2 (1, N = 299) = 7.3, p < .01). Users of cocaine were more likely to have used MDMA (c2 (1, N = 308) = 4.5, p < .05), as were users of amphetamines (c2 (1, N = 308) = 4.4, p < .05). DDU was negatively correlated with age (r = -.38, p < .0001). IDUs who have previously been told that they are infected with HIV were significantly more likely to have ever used Ketamine (c2 (1, N = 279) = 7.7, p < .01). IDUs engaging in either receptive or insertive anal sex were significantly more likely to have used Ketamine (c2 (1, N = 339) = 11.3, p < .001), the only designer drug reported as having been injected. Conclusions: Self-identified gay men were found to be more likely to use designer drugs associated with high-risk sexual behavior. As use is associated with younger age, users may be less likely to consider themselves at risk and less likely to use safer sex methods.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant in this session will be able to
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.