Sociometric risk networks and risk for HIV infection.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined whether networks of drug-injecting and sexual relationships among drug injectors are associated with individual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus and with behavioral likelihood of future infection.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 767 drug injectors in New York City was performed with chain-referral and linking procedures to measure large-scale (sociometric) risk networks. Graph-theoretic algebraic techniques were used to detect 92 connected components (drug injectors linked to each other directly or through others) and a 105-member 2-core within a large connected component of 230 members.


RESULTS
Drug injectors in the 2-core of the large component were more likely than others to be infected with HIV. Seronegative 2-core members engaged in a wide range of high-risk behaviors, including engaging in risk behaviors with infected drug injectors.


CONCLUSIONS
Sociometric risk networks seem to be pathways along which HIV travels in drug-injecting peer groups. The cores of large components can be centers of high-risk behaviors and can become pockets of HIV infection. Preventing HIV from reaching the cores of large components may be crucial in preventing widespread HIV epidemics.
Friedman
S R
SR
National Development and Research Institutes Inc, New York, NY 10048, USA.
Neaigus
A
A
Jose
B
B
Curtis
R
R
Goldstein
M
M
Ildefonso
G
G
Rothenberg
R B
RB
Des Jarlais
D C
DC
D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012931:Social Environment; D012963:Sociometric Techniques; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data