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Veronica M. Frajzyngier, MPH, Institute for International Research on Youth at Risk, National Development and Research Institutes (NDRI), Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th floor, New York City, NY 10010, 212.845.4592, frajzyngier@ndri.org and Alan Neaigus, PhD, Institute for International Research on Youth at Risk, National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd Street, 8th Floor, New York City, NY 10010.
Objectives: To compare the influence of the social environment on HIV/HCV risk among geographically mobile and New York City (NYC) based young, new injecting drug users (YNIDUs). Methods: Ethnographic interviews were conducted with street-recruited YNIDUs in NYC from January-December 2003. Geographically mobile ('traveling') and NYC-based YNIDUs between 19 and 30 years old, who had injected for £6 years, were interviewed about their relevant life history, material and social resources, social/risk networks, risk behaviors, health status, and service utilization and access. Results: The sample comprised 15 travelers and 13 NYC-based YNIDUs. Travelers were younger and predominantly white, more often marginally housed and had limited economic resources. Travelers were more likely to be estranged and/or isolated from family and non-drug using support networks, and many depended on other traveling YNIDUs to secure drugs and other material and emotional resources. Like NYC-based YNIDUs, core social networks were small and cohesive; however, travelers also had larger and dynamic peripheral networks. Travelers more often injected in multi-user settings, had inconsistent access to harm reduction services, and more frequently reported sharing injecting equipment. Conclusions: Compared to NYC-based YNIDUs, the precarious life of travelers promotes the formation of strong multiplex relationships among risk/social network members. Norms of dependency and trust may be greater among travelers and may therefore increase the difficulty of negotiating risk. HCV risk among travelers may also be greater through exposure to bridge populations and inconsistent access to harm reduction services. Interventions must distinguish the needs of travelers and geographically stable YNIDUs.
Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injection Drug Users
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.