What are substance abusers' HIV prevention needs?

Abstract:
This fact sheet discusses the increased risks of HIV infection associated with substance abusers' behavior. This includes people who do not inject drugs but are still at a higher risk due to their sexual risk behaviors and the social network to which they belong. For example, people who abuse substances are more likely to choose sexual partners from a similar social network. This network might include people who also abuse substances, inject drugs, have traded sex for money or drugs, and have a greater probability of having been incarcerated, which are all risk factors increasing the chance of HIV transmission. Gay male substance abusers are at a higher risk due to a pattern of association between substance abuse and unprotected sex and the prevalence of lower self-esteem, lack of assertiveness and perceived powerlessness. Similarly, women who use crack cocaine are at a higher risk as they are more likely to exchange sex for drugs, use condoms inconsistently, and have other physical ailments associated with crack pipe use which could lead to higher instances of HIV transmission. The authors suggest encouraging substance abuse centers to integrate HIV education in their programs and creating gender-specific and gay-specific treatment to reach those at especially high risk.

Author(s): DeCARLO, Pamela; STALL, Ron; and FULLILOVE, Robert

Publication: HIV Prevention: Looking Back, Looking Ahead


Date Published: 7/1/1996

Pages: 1

Comments:
An original copy of this fact sheet may be obtained by calling the National AIDS Clearinghouse at 800-458-5231. Alternate web site (HIV InSite): http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/prevention.

Location Code: 7076