HIV-Seropositive Drug Users and Unprotected Sex
Carol, F. Kwiatkowski; Robert, E. Booth
Aids and Behavior 2(2): 151-159
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 1090-7165 DOI: 10.1023/a:1022198930699Document Number: 533764
This study assessed the extent to which HIV-seropositive drug users placed others at risk of infection through unprotected sex, and investigated demographic and behavioral factors contributing to unprotected sex. Structured interviews were conducted as part of a multisite research project funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Analyses were performed on responses from 106 sexually active, HIV-seropositive drug users from Denver, Detroit, New Orleans, St. Louis, and West Palm Beach. Nearly half of the respondents reported having unprotected sex in the 6 months preceding the interview. Results of a multiple logistic regression, controlling for differences in demographic characteristics across the five cities, revealed that the strongest predictor of unprotected sex was being of an ethnicity other than African-American. Implications of these findings are discussed with respect to the Hiv prevention, counseling and educational needs of HIV-seropositive drug users, and the need for continuing research with this population.