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Melissa A. Davey, MPH, CHES, Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1629 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, 410-502-5368, mdavey@jhsph.edu, Catherine A. Porter, BS, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1629 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, Carl A. Latkin, PhD, Department of Health Policy & Manamgement, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 624. N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, and Wei Hua, MS, MD, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1629 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21231.
Drug users are at an increased risk for HIV through both drug-related and sexual behaviors. Many substance abuse treatment programs have incorporated an HIV education component into their traditional treatment curriculum. The present study will assess differences in sex risk behaviors among drug users who have enrolled in drug treatment and users who have not. Specifically, we examined condom use, number of sex partners, and type of partners (i.e. main, casual, and exchange). Data were collected from the SHIELD cohort, an HIV prevention intervention targeted at drug users and their social network members.
This study utilizes data from both baseline and follow-up surveys. The sample (n=991) was trichotomized into three groups: 1) participants enrolled in drug treatment at both baseline and follow-up, 2) participants not enrolled in drug treatment at baseline but enrolled at follow-up, and 3) participants who were enrolled in drug treatment at baseline but not follow-up. All data were collected through extensive face-to-face interviews which covered several domains including demographics, physical and mental health status, and drug use history. Also, respondents provided information about enrollment in substance abuse treatment as well as their involvement in risky sex and drug-related behaviors in the past six months.
Based on preliminary findings, being in drug treatment is associated with condom use with main partner and number of casual partners. The study’s findings may be useful for treatment providers in developing the curriculum for an HIV prevention component.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Drug Addiction, 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.