title: Network structure and the risk for HIV transmission among rural drug users.
abstract: Research suggests that structural properties of drug users' social networks can have substantial effects on HIV risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the structural properties of Appalachian drug users' risk networks could lend insight into the potential for HIV transmission in this population. Data from 503 drug users recruited through respondent-driven sampling were used to construct a sociometric risk network. Network ties represented relationships in which partners had engaged in unprotected sex and/or shared injection equipment. Compared to 1,000 randomly generated networks, the observed network was found to have a larger main component and exhibit more cohesiveness and centralization than would be expected at random. Thus, the risk network structure in this sample has many structural characteristics shown to be facilitative of HIV transmission. This underscores the importance of primary prevention in this population and prompts further investigation into the epidemiology of HIV in the region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, 333 Waller Avenue, Lexington, KY 40504, USA.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: U L
authors.initials: UL
authors.lastname: Mullins
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Halgin
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Havens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001061:Appalachian Region; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012932:Social Facilitation; D012944:Social Support; D012963:Sociometric Techniques; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult