Latkin CA, Knowlton AR, Foreman V; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. ThPeD7764.
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
BACKGROUND: Research is needed to understand factors associated with medical care seeking and behavioral risk reduction among low income persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs). METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined factors associated with receiving medical care for HIV and correlates of unprotected sex with HIV serodiscordant partners among 244 PWLAs in Baltimore, Maryland. Study participants were recruited through street outreach for an HIV prevention study. RESULTS: 85% of the PWHAs were unemployed, 43% female, 80% reported current use of drugs, 35% smoked crack cocaine, 60% injected drugs, 24% were not currently receiving HIV medical care, and 41% reported having an HIV seropositive sex partner. In the multivariate analysis of sexual risk behavior, being female (OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.08-4.83), pro-condom use norms (OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.68-0.94), and receiving medical care for HIV (OR=0.31, 95% CI= 0.41-0.65) were significantly associated with unprotected sex. In the second multivariate analysis, currently using drug (OR=0.25, 95% CI =0.12-.50) and sharing drugs with sexual partners (OR=0.41, 95% CI=0.19-0.90) were significantly associated with currently receiving medical care for HIV. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that PWLAs obtaining medical care is associated with reduced risk of HIV transmission. Interventions that facilitate HIV medical care for inner-city drugs users may lead to sexual risk reduction. Medical care for PWLAs appeared to be impeded by drug use and their close relationships with drug using sexual partners. Interventions should address methods of obtaining HIV medical care for active drug users and methods of reducing sexual risk behaviors, which may include promoting risk reduction norms. The overlap between drug and sexual networks may be also an important area for future assessments and interventions. Data is also needed to verify the serostatus of PWLAs' sexual partners.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Vaccines
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Baltimore
- Crack Cocaine
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health Behavior
- Maryland
- Poverty
- Risk Reduction Behavior
- Risk-Taking
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Partners
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Substance-Related Disorders
- Unsafe Sex
Other ID:
UI: 102255706
From Meeting Abstracts