Multiplex Relationships and HIV: Implications for Network-Based Interventions.
The number of network members and the roles they play can influence risk behaviors and consequently intervention strategies to reduce HIV transmission. We recruited 652 people who use drugs (PWUD) from socially disadvantaged neighborhoods in New York City (07/2006-06/2009). Interviewer-administered surveys ascertained demographic, behavioral, and network data. We used logistic regression, stratified by exchange sex, to assess the relationship between HIV status and the number of network members with different roles, treated as independent and multiplex (i.e., drug + sex). Those with more multiplex risk ties were significantly more likely to be HIV positive, but only among those not reporting exchange sex (AOR = 3.2). Among those reporting exchange sex, men reporting recent male sex partners were more likely to report HIV positive status (AOR = 12.6). These data suggest that sex and drug relationships among PWUD are interrelated. Interventions that target multiplex rather than single-role relationships may be more effective in influencing behavior change.
Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T418E, Boston, MA, 02118-2526, USA. arudolph@bu.edu.
Abby E
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1786-3307
AE
Rudolph
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Natalie D
ND
Crawford
Department of Health Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.|Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Carl
C
Latkin
Division of Social Solutions and Services Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA.|Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
Crystal Fuller
CF
Lewis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
Exchange sex; Multiplexity; Risk networks; Social networks