Why woman partners of drug users will continue to be at high risk for HIV infection
Cohen, J.B.
Journal of Addictive Diseases 10(4): 99-110
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 1055-0887 PMID: 1777503 DOI: 10.1300/j069v10n04_08Document Number: 322059
Women who acquired HIV from their IV drug user sexual partners make up the 2nd largest group of women with AIDS in the US. By May 1991,k more than 3600 women had AIDS due to sexual intercourse with an IV drug user. Yet this is a low estimate because women partners of IV drug users are not visible and either do not know or want to know about their sexual partners drug use, but women partners of IV drug users constitute the fastest growing subgroup of adults with AIDS since 1983. The rise is particularly quick among black and hispanic women. They come from all racial, ethnic, and social group and tend to abuse alcohol and drugs but not usually IV drugs. Those in urban areas tend to be of reproductive age, have children, and are poor. Due to their diversity and their relative invisibility, service providers and programs that can help them avoid acquiring HIV infection either cannot identify them or their needs or they neglect them. The most successful HIV prevention programs are those designed and managed by women peers. HIV prevention programs based in drug treatment programs used by the women's partners and in AIDS-related programs have not been successful. Prevention messages geared towards women have tended to focus on condom usage and prevention of HIV transmission to infants without considering their social and psychological needs. They need prevention methods which they can control. Use of existing methods (e.g., asking a partner to use a condom) may result in various reactions such as sexual rejection and domestic violence. Thus providers must become more familiar with their characteristics and needs to develop sensitive educational, preventive, and therapeutic approaches to reduce the burden of AIDS-related sickness and death among women partners of IV drug users and their families.