title: Perceived discrimination, racial identity, and health behaviors among black primary-care patients who use drugs.
abstract: Blacks who use drugs are at heightened risk for health problems. Discrimination experiences may contribute to these risks by influencing health behaviors. This study examined associations between discrimination, racial identity, and health behaviors (alcohol use, cigarette smoking, low physical activity, and unprotected [condomless] sex) in a sample of 203 Black primary-care patients who reported current drug use. Logistic regression analyses did not find direct effects of discrimination or identity on outcomes. Hypothesized moderation of discrimination by racial identity was not observed in expected direction for the outcome of unprotected sex.
authors.affiliation: a George Washington University , Washington , DC.|b Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Washington , DC.
authors.forename: Leah E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Squires
authors.affiliation: c Boston University , Boston , Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Tibor P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Palfai
authors.affiliation: d Cleveland State University , Cleveland , Ohio.
authors.forename: Don
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Allensworth-Davies
authors.affiliation: e Boston University School of Public Health , Boston , Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Debbie M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: e Boston University School of Public Health , Boston , Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.affiliation: c Boston University , Boston , Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kressin
authors.affiliation: e Boston University School of Public Health , Boston , Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Saitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000208:ethnology*; D000073865:Cigarette Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D063505:Racism / Q000208:ethnology*; D012933:Social Identification; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: Drug use; health risk behavior; perceived discrimination; racial identity