Recorded presentation

Elizabeth Costenbader, MS and Nan M. Astone, PhD. Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, 4102621789, ecostenb@jhsph.edu

Background: Serial use of drug injection equipment is a well-known route of HIV transmission. Studies of the social networks of injection drug users (IDUs) have provided considerable insight into how the structures of interpersonal relationships among IDUs affect these HIV risk behaviors. The majority of these studies, however, have characterized IDUs’ social networks with cross-sectional data. This research contributes to the understanding of HIV risk among IDUs by examining the dynamics of their personal social networks and HIV risk behaviors over time. Methods: Using data from a longitudinal study of IDUs in Baltimore, MD, this study first assessed changes in the composition of the personal networks of close to 1,000 study participants. We then used a multinomial logistic regression analysis to test hypotheses regarding the influence of network and individual characteristics on increases and decreases in HIV risk behaviors over time. Results: We found study participant’s personal networks changed considerably between baseline interviews, which started in 1997, and follow-up interviews conducted approximately one and four years later. Personal network stability, (stability index ranged from 0-1), averaged 0.30 and 0.23 at the first and second follow-up interviews, respectively. Among our most notable findings was the finding that network stability had a significant negative association with reduction in risk behavior (OR = 0.13). Conclusion: Despite the evidence to show that enduring social relationships have positive effects on health, our data suggest that if the ultimate goal is to reduce risk behavior, termination of some relationships may be necessary.

Learning Objectives:

• Become familiar with social network characteristics associated with changes in risk behavior over time in a population of IDUs at risk for HIV exposure.
• Consider the extent and type of change in the immediate social environment of an IDU and the impact of this change on his/her HIV risk-taking behaviors.
• Identify some of the challenges inherent in longitudinal studies of the social networks of “at-risk” populations.

Keywords: Drug Injectors, Risk Taking 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.

Recorded presentation