Trends of HIV risk behaviors in a cohort of injecting drug users and their sex partners in Miami, Florida, 1988-1998.
A cohort of 111 injection drug users (IDUs) and their sex partners was assessed in 1988 concerning risk behaviors for HIV and knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Ten years later, in 1998, the cohort was reassessed using the same instrument. All who were HIV negative in 1988 were retested by blood draw for antibodies to HIV. A paired analysis was utilized to determine individual changes in risk behaviors for three serostatus groups--those who remained HIV negative (long-term HIV negatives), seroconverters, and those positive in 1988 (long-term HIV positives). Incidence was twice as high for sex partners (37.5%) as for IDUs (18.0%). Drug and needle use risk behaviors, except crack use, showed decreases; sexual risk behaviors were less amenable to change. Knowledge significantly increased among the long-term HIV negatives and seroconverters but not among those HIV positive in 1988. This analysis demonstrates the need for continued intervention among IDUs and their sex partners.
McCoy
Clyde B
CB
Comprehensive Drug Research Center, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA. cmccoy@med.miami.edu
Metsch
Lisa R
LR
Comerford
Mary
M
Zhao
Wei
W
Coltes
Amanda J
AJ
Messiah
Sarah E
SE
D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*