Perceptions of HIV risk behaviors and service needs among methamphetamine users in rural Appalachian Tennessee.
Like many areas of the country, the state of Tennessee is experiencing a recent and growing rise in the rate of methamphetamine use, particularly in rural areas of the state. While substance use is a known risk factor for contracting HIV/AIDS, there is limited information regarding the risk behaviors of rural methamphetamine users. This paper seeks to document the existence of known HIV risk behaviors as they relate to rural southern methamphetamine use. Qualitative interviews with ninety-seven current and former methamphetamine users from the Cumberland Plateau area, a rural mountainous region in the state of Tennessee, suggest that methamphetamine users are putting themselves at risk for contracting HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases through high-risk injection and sexual behaviors. Additionally, the results present the perceptions of respondents regarding the impact of methamphetamine use on rural communities and related service needs.
College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, 193 E. Polk Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210, USA. smacmast@utk.edu
Samuel A
SA
MacMaster
Kelly
K
Tripp
Sherri
S
Argo
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001061:Appalachian Region / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000635:transmission; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013714:Tennessee; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult; D001741:Black or African American
D008694:Methamphetamine