title: Behavioral effects of receiving HIV test results among injecting drug users in Puerto Rico.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the influence of knowledge of HIV serostatus on changes in risk behaviors among injecting drug users (IDU).
  
  
  METHODS
  IDU were recruited through sampling conducted at street drug-selling areas. Of 374 participants, 88.8% consented to be HIV tested and returned for their test results, and 73.5% were relocated and interviewed 6 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 176 IDU who reported a seronegative test result prior to baseline, 29 tested seropositive at baseline. No significant differences were found between HIV-positive and HIV-negative IDU in needle risk behaviors. HIV-positive IDU were significantly less likely to report being sexually active [odds ratio (OR), 0.41 : 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22-0.75] and more likely to use condoms during vaginal (OR, 4.43; 95% CI, 1.48-13.29) and oral sex (OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 1.42-31.33).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study show the importance of encouraging IDU to undergo periodic retesting. HIV testing could have an important role in reducing heterosexual transmission from IDU.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute, Puerto Rico Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Colón
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Marrero
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahai
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D013997:Time Factors