289259
Contextual factors that contribute to HIV risk reduction among out-of-treatment substance users
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
: 3:10 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Jo Brocato, PhD,
School of Social Work, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Dennis G. Fisher, PhD,
Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Grace L. Reynolds, DPA,
Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Kristen Hess, PhD, MPH,
Center for Behavioral Research and Services, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
Background: The risky use of alcohol and other drugs in young adulthood is many times accompanied by failure to use protective measures such as condoms, sex with multiple partners, and for some unsafe injection practices. These high-risk HIV transmission behaviors have led to a 21% increase in the rates of HIV among young adults (CDC, 2012). Employing an ecological approach the purpose of this study is to examine longitudinally contextual factors that contribute to HIV risk reduction out of treatment substance users. Methods: Data were collected from a cohort of 265 out of treatment substance users using NIDA's Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA), the Risk Behavior Follow-up Assessment (RBFA). Results: A regression model determined that only the length of time in methadone maintence significantly reduced drug risk behaviors however other contextual factors impacted drug risks. Analysis determined an individual's perception that they had a 50% chance of acquiring HIV at baseline resulted in a significant decrease in drug related risk at follow-up which was not the case for those with a lower or higher perception of their risk. No predictors were found to significantly reduce sexual risk and perception of risk did not significantly alter sexual behaviors. Conclusions: This analysis of data from a cohort of out of treatment drug users found further evidence of the critical importance increasing access to substance use treatment programs and targeting unsafe sexual practices in prevention programs for drug users.
Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Identify the multiple levels of HIV risk for out-of –treatment substance users.
Describe the contextual factors that contribute to the reduction of high risk for HIV behaviors.
Discuss how increased access drug use treatment services can influence drug use related risk reduction.
Formulate ideas for prevention strategies tailored to address sexual risk reduction among drug users.
Keyword(s): Drug Use, HIV Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked in the field of addiction services for over 30 years and I have participated in research projects involving treatment approaches for drug users, access disparities, and HIV risks among out of treatment drug users.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
