Gender differences in risk behaviors among HIV+ persons with an IDU history. The link between partner characteristics and women's higher drug-sex risks. The Manif 2000 Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
Risk-taking behaviors differ among women and men injection drug users (IDU).


OBJECTIVE
To specify the nature of sexual and drug risk-taking among women IDU and ex-IDU and how it relates to partner characteristics.


METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis of 324 HIV+ subjects enrolled into a prospective cohort study in Marseille, France.


RESULTS
Women, as compared with men, were considerably more likely to report nonuse of condoms with a main partner (31% versus 12%). They were more likely to shoot with a partner at last injection (39% versus 12%), but far less likely to sterilize used needles (4% versus 16%). Two thirds of both men and women reported consistent condom use with a seronegative partner, but only 47% of men and 23% of women reported the same with a seropositive partner. Among the women only, needle and syringe sharing was associated with consistent use of a condom.


CONCLUSIONS
Women reported behaviors which protect their partners from STD infection more frequently than behaviors which protect themselves. Greater attention must be paid to sexual risk-taking among HIV+ women.
Gollub
E L
EL
Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Pennsylvania, USA.
Rey
D
D
Obadia
Y
Y
Moatti
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*