title: Measurement of HIV risk behaviors among intravenous drug users.
abstract: This paper reviews issues related to the measurement of drug use and other behaviors in studies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in intravenous drug users. These issues include: (1) choice of variables, (2) study design, (3) time frame of measurement, (4) categories of measurement, (5) interviewer effects, and (6) validity of measurement. Difficulties and approaches for measuring drug use and other intimate behaviors in intravenous drug users are discussed. Attempts to come to terms with these measurement issues in the context of HIV infection in intravenous drug users should lead to the further development of methods for use in the general context of drug abuse research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Hygiene, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Samuels
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vlahov
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Chaisson
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs