APHA
Back to Annual Meeting Page
 
American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
3245.0: Monday, December 12, 2005 - Board 8

Abstract #116920

A comparison of sex risk for HIV/STI infection among young injecting and non-injecting heroin users

Alan Neaigus, PhD1, V. Anna Gyarmathy, PhD, MS, MPH1, Maureen Miller, PhD2, and Veronica M. Frajzyngier, MPH1. (1) 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, 212-845-4480, neaigus@ndri.org, (2) Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th Street, Room 1210, New York City, NY 10032

Objectives: To compare sex risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young heroin injecting drug users (YHIDUs) and non-injecting heroin users, including former injectors (YNIHU_F) and never injectors (YNIHU_N).

Methods: YHIDUs (n=335), YNIHU_F (n=71) and YNIHU_N (n=164), aged 18-30 were non-treatment recruited in New York City, 3/1996-3/2003, serotested, and administered structured interviews about their past-30-day sexual risk behaviors and sex partner (SP) networks.  Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) are estimated controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and years since initiating heroin use.  Statistical significance is p<0.05*.

Results: The mean age was 23.9 years (SD=3.7); 67% were male and 67% white.  The mean years since initiating heroin use was 5.7 (SD=3.7).  Of those serotested, 3% of YHIDUs, 2% of YNIHU_F, and 7% of YNIHU_N were seropositive for HIV (ns); and, respectively, 22%, 23%, and 17% for hepatitis B virus (ns).  Comparisons are:

 

Unprotected sex

Multiple SP

Current IDU SP*

Ever IDU SP*

Men-who-have-sex-with-men SP

HIV/hepatitis infected SP*

YNIHU_N (ref)

52%

24%

7%

17%

7%

4%

YNIHU_F

39%

23%

21%, AOR=4.0

31%, AOR=2.4

8%

10%

YHIDUs

44%

15%

40%, AOR=9.9

45%, AOR=3.9

4%

26%, AOR=3.8

Conclusions: Among young heroin users, active and former IDUs do not significantly differ from never injectors in engaging in unprotected sex and having multiple sex partners.  However, active heroin injectors' sex networks had the greatest probability of being or becoming infected.  Preventing injecting among non-injecting heroin users will reduce both their injecting and sexual risk of infection with HIV and infection with other STIs.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the session participant will be able to

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Injecting Drug Use and HIV: Findings from Research and Practice

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA