Primary medical care and reductions in HIV risk behaviors in adults with addictions.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors are prevalent in persons with addictions.


OBJECTIVE
To assess whether exposure to primary medical care is associated with decreases in HIV risk behaviors.


METHODS
Prospective 2-year cohort of 298 adults with addictions.


RESULTS
Sex and drug-related HIV risk behaviors, measured by the Risk Assessment Battery.


METHODS
Cumulative number of primary care visits (0, 1, > or = 2). Associations were tested using regression models for correlated data.


RESULTS
In women, receipt of primary care was associated with less sex risk behavior (mean decrease 2.1, p < or = 0.1). Among women and men, > or = 2 primary care visits was associated with lower odds of any drug risk behavior (OR = 0.37, p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to primary care can impact HIV risk behavior favorably among adults with addictions.
Takizawa
Carolina
C
Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, MA 02118, USA. kinacmt@hotmail.com
Cheng
Debbie
D
Samet
Jeffrey
J
Winter
Michael
M
Larson
Mary Jo
MJ
Saitz
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires