Targeting HIV Prevention on African-American Crack and Injection Drug Users

• NCJ Number: 201749
• Journal: Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 38 Issue: 9 Dated: 2003 Pages: 1259-1284
• Author(s): Sonja Feist-Price; T. K. Logan; Carl Leukefeld; Corey L. Moore; Angela Ebreo
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines the differences in HIV-related knowledge and risk behaviors among crack and injecting-drug-using African-American men and women.

Abstract

The study examined whether a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) resulted in a higher level of awareness and information seeking about HIV as well as a greater perception of risk; and whether a history of STDs led to an increased use of HIV testing. Participants were selected from an overall sample of 1,277 individuals recruited into the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) Cooperative Agreement Project in Lexington and Louisville, KY. They were interviewed using the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) questionnaire. They were then randomly assigned, at the community level; given either a standard or an enhanced intervention; and tested for HIV. Three different tests of statistical significance were used in this study: chi-square analyses, logistic regression analyses, and a series of analyses of variance (ANOVAs). Results indicate that, respondents from both STD groups (self-reported STD vs. no STD) were similar on demographic variables. Both groups reported engaging in similar HIV risky behavior. Past drug use and current drug use were similar across both STD groups. Those in the STD group indicated they believed they were more likely to get HIV than those that reported no history of STD. Participants were aware of HIV-related information because they had been tested for HIV on a number of different occasions. Their risk-taking behavior continued despite their recurrent STDs and the information they received as a result of their HIV test. This suggests that knowledge about risky sexual and drug-use related behaviors is insufficient to promote risk-reducing sexual practices among African-Americans. Initiatives for African-Americans should include more than educational information alone. Interventions should also include condom use, mixed gender groups, and open discussions about condom use. Substance user treatment programs should target and incorporate sexual risks as part of their interventions. 7 tables, 38 references