title: Sexual risk and HIV infection among drug users in New York City: a pilot study.
abstract: Measures of sexual health were assessed during 2008-2009 in a New York City sample of 102 injection and noninjection users of heroin, cocaine, or crack. There was considerable overlap and transitioning between crack smoking and injecting. Crack users were also significantly more likely to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual than other drug users. In multivariate analysis, HIV infection was independently associated with crack use and with being gay or bisexual. In New York City, HIV prevention for drug users has focused on syringe access, safe injection, and drug user treatment, but further progress in HIV control will require strategies to address sexual health among people who use drugs. The study's limitations are noted.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA. hh50@nyu.edu
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagan
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Perlman
authors.forename: Don C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Des Jarlais
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055030:Drug Users; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*