Published in:
01-09-2005 | BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN THE ERA OF COMBINATION THERAPIES
Sexual Risk Behavior Among Injection Drug Users Before Widespread Availability of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors:
Melanie L. Rusch, Homayoon Farzadegan, Patrick M. Tarwater, Mahboobeh Safaeian, David Vlahov, Steffanie A. Strathdee
Published in:
AIDS and Behavior
|
Issue 3/2005
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Abstract
HIV testing and counseling has been associated with reductions in risk behaviors in some populations. This study examined whether involvement in a long-term study, including exposure to repeated HIV testing and counseling, was associated with increased condom use among injection drug users (IDUs) through a retrospective analysis of an IDU cohort from Baltimore, MD, during 1994–1998. Eligibility included being aged 18 years or older, injecting within 10 years and not having initiated antiretroviral therapy. A logistic model of high versus low risk, based on condom use, was used. Of 322 eligible IDUs, most were male (66%) and African-American (94%). No significant change in the odds of inconsistent condom use was observed with continued study exposure. Condom use remained low, indicating a need for interventions to reduce sexual risks and HIV transmission in this population.