title: HIV risk behaviors among young drug using women who have sex with women (WSWs) in New York City.
abstract: Previous research has suggested that multiple stressors may work in tandem to affect the health of women who have sex with women (WSWs). WSWs have been a part of the HIV epidemic in New York City since the beginning, making it an ideal setting to further explore these women's risk. Among a sample of 375 heroin, crack and/or cocaine using women recruited from economically disadvantaged communities in New York City, we examined HIV seroprevalence and risk behaviors among WSWs as compared to women who have sex with men only (WSMOs). We also explore differences between WSWs and WSMOs with respect to potential stressors (i.e., decreased access to resources and health care utilization and violence victimization) that might contribute overall HIV risk. The study's limitations are noted.
authors.affiliation: Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, New York 10029-5283, USA. dompad@nyam.org
authors.forename: Danielle C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ompad
authors.forename: Samuel R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.forename: Sel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hwahng
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nandi
authors.forename: Crystal M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Fuller
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vlahov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*