Ethnopharmacology: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study of Intravenous Drug Use and HIV

• NCJ Number: 126786
• Journal: Journal of Contemporary Ethnography Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 349-369
• Author(s): J Johnson
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): SR18TA05156
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Intravenous drug users (IVDUs) constitute 28 percent of all AIDS cases and are a major route of HIV sexual transmission to the heterosexual population and to unborn children.

Abstract

Data were taken from the National AIDS Demonstration Research (NADR) project in Houston (TX). The project covered white, black, and Hispanic urban communities with high rates of drug use and prostitution. A survey and tape recorded interviews drew information about past and present drug use, lifestyle, health and health service utilization, sexually transmitted disease prevention, AIDS knowledge and media experiences. Descriptions from a cocaine addict about peaks and lows and the briefness and intensity of the drug help to explain why cocaine injectors are at such high risk for contracting HIV. 2 figures and 49 references