Impact of social network characteristics on high-risk sexual behaviors among non-injection drug users.
Sexually active non-injection drug users in New York City and their sexual partners or fellow drug users (N = 264) were recruited from 2002 to 2005, and associations between social network characteristics and sexual risk behaviors were examined. We assessed social networks, sexual practices, and drug use. Results suggest having a drug-centered social network, i.e., a network that includes a high proportion of individuals who provide, receive, or use drugs, increases the risk of engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. The study's limitations are noted and longitudinal studies are needed to ascertain whether these associations are causal. Funding was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Pilowsky
Daniel J
DJ
Department of Psychiatry, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. dp14@columbia.edu
Hoover
Donald
D
Hadden
Bernadette
B
Fuller
Crystal
C
Ompad
Danielle C
DC
Andrews
Howard F
HF
de Leon
Cora L
CL
Hoepner
Lori
L
Xia
Qi
Q
Latkin
Carl
C
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data