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Younger injectors testing for HIV through a publicly funded program in Los Angeles county, California.

Reynolds-Fisher GL, Fisher DG, Branson CM; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. TuPeC4860.

California State University, Long Beach, United States

Background: Young injection drug users (IDUs) are at risk for HIV and hepatitis through inexperience with safe injection practices and risky sexual behaviors. Methods: Data from 800 IDUs obtained from a publicly funded mobile HIV testing program operating in Los Angeles County, California were analyzed to identify characteristics associated with younger age. Results: IDUs who injected cocaine, heroin, and/or amphetamine were identified from 47 testing sites. The youngest site mean age was 24.8 and the oldest was 54. Young injectors were significantly more likely to report White race (chi[2](5)=75.5, p=.0001). Female injectors (M=37.2, SD=9.5) were significantly younger than male injectors (M=39.6, SD=10.2; t(793)=3.28, p=.0011). Younger injectors under 30 y were significantly more likely to report always sharing needles (chi[2](2)=7.41, p=.02). There were significant age differences in the reporting of sexually transmitted diseases, with individuals reporting hepatitis B infection being significantly older (M=42.5, SD=10.5) than those who did not report hepatitis B infection (M=38.4, SD=10; t(797)=2.87, p=.0042. Those reporting hepatitis C infection were significantly older (M=42.2, SD=8.8) than those not reporting hepatitis C infection (M=37.4, SD=10.1; t(777)=6.21, p=.0001). Those reporting HPV infection were significantly younger (M=29.1, SD=9.7) than those not reporting HPV infection (M=38.8, SD=9.9; t(797)=2.55, p=.011). Conclusions: Testing sites serving younger IDUs should have interventions targeted to them for prevention of HIV and other blood-borne infections. The higher proportion of needle sharing among younger IDUs is especially troubling.

Publication Types:
  • Meeting Abstracts
Keywords:
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
  • California
  • Female
  • HIV Infections
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • Hepatitis B
  • Los Angeles
  • Male
  • Needle Sharing
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Other ID:
  • GWAIDS0038459
UI: 102282675

From Meeting Abstracts




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