Sexual risk among injection drug users recruited from syringe exchange programs in California.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine correlates of sexual risk among injection drug users (IDUs).


METHODS
A total of 1445 IDUs were recruited from California syringe exchange programs.


RESULTS
Consistent condom use was independently related to being HIV-positive, having multiple sex partners, not having a steady partner, not sharing syringes, and not injecting amphetamines for men; and engaging in sex work, not sharing syringes, and not having a steady partner for women. Having multiple recent sexual partnerships that included a steady partner was related to engaging in sex work, speedball injection, and amphetamine use among men; and younger age, having had a sexually transmitted disease (STD), engaging in sex work, and using alcohol among women. Having heterosexual anal sex was related to having had an STD, having multiple sexual partners, using amphetamines, and syringe-sharing for men; and younger age and amphetamine use for women.


CONCLUSIONS
Comprehensive prevention interventions addressing multiple sexual and injection risk behaviors are needed for IDUs.
Bogart
Laura M
LM
Health Program, RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, PO Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, USA. lbogart@rand.org
Kral
Alex H
AH
Scott
Andrea
A
Anderson
Rachel
R
Flynn
Neil
N
Gilbert
Mary Lou
ML
Bluthenthal
Ricky N
RN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires