Addiction. 1994 Oct;89(10):1309-17. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
While high risk drug-related behaviors for human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV) transmission among injection drug users (IDUs) are asserted to
have declined over time in response to the AIDS epidemic, evidence from
longitudinal cohorts has been sparse. In a cohort of 810 IDUs (442
seronegatives and 368 seropositives) in Baltimore, we identified
drug-related risk behaviors at four consecutive semi-annual visits.
Using robust methods for repeated measurements and multiple logistic
regression, we estimated the probabilities of maintaining and reducing
risk behaviors according to HIV serostatus and time in the study.
Seropositive participants were more likely to maintain lower risk
behaviors, and behavior maintenance increased with time in study for
both seronegative and seropositive IDUs. Greater risk reduction (towards
non-use and not sharing injection equipment) was seen among seropositive
IDUs, with behavior change occurring soon after enrollment in the study.
While behavior changes have been reported, many active IDUs, especially
those still at risk for acquiring HIV infection, have not adequately
reduced their risk. Continuing prevention programs and efforts in
vaccine development are imperative to reduce the risk of HIV infection
among IDUs.
Baltimore/EPIDEMIOLOGY Cohort Studies Cross-Sectional Studies
Follow-Up Studies Human HIV Infections/PREVENTION &
CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION HIV Seronegativity HIV
Seropositivity/EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION Incidence Knowledge,
Attitudes, Practice Risk-Taking Substance Abuse,
Intravenous/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/REHABILITATION Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
Urban Population/*STATISTICS & NUMER DATA JOURNAL ARTICLE