AEGiS-13IAC: HIV risk behavior and behavior change explained: individual interviews with drug users.

13th International AIDS Conference


Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

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HIV risk behavior and behavior change explained: individual interviews with drug users.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:63 (abstract no.. LBPeD7116)

van Empelen P, Kok G, Hoebe C, Jansen MW
Universiteit Maastricht, Department of Experimental Psychology, Netherlands. Fax: +31 43 38 84196, E-mail: p.vanempelen@psychology.unimaas.nl.

ISSUES: Although a large number of HIV infections are related to unsafe sex with a drug user, this HIV risk behavior has been left unattended. The present study focused on HIV risk behavior changes due to the existence of HIV/AIDS and ongoing HIV risk behavior among drug users. We especially focused on predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors in relation to condom use.

DESCRIPTION: To get answers for all the discussed issues individual interviews were held with 35 drug users or partners of drug users. The sample also included drug users that had exchanged sex for money or drugs, and HIV-positive drug users. The qualitative data was analysed using the analysis package NU*DIST 4.0.

CONCLUSION: The study showed that drug users have effectively changed their risky drug use behavior, and have reduced the number of sex partners and unprotected sex to some extent. However, unprotected sex, especially with steady partners, was reported often. The majority seems to have little condom use experience in general. Furthermore, HIV/AIDS and condoms have shown to be taboo subjects, especially within steady relationships. Underlying reasons are felt to be incapability to discuss the subjects, the expectation that others should initiate such topics first, or just not seeing a reason to discuss certain topics. The ability to communicate HIV/AIDS and condoms effectively seems essential to increase safe sexual practices. Because of differences on the basis of relationship status we argue for different approaches to promote condom use with casual and steady sex partners. Finally we plead for an increased attention of existing prevention and addiction care providers to this potential HIV transmission route.

Keywords: AEGIS, Risk-Taking, HIV Infections, Condoms, Interviews, HIV Seropositivity, Safe Sex, Sexual Partners, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Substance-Related Disorders, Coitus, AIDSKWDaegis,risk-taking,hivinfections,condoms,interviews,hivseropositivity,safesex,sexualpartners,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,substance-relateddisorders,coitus,aids
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LBPeD7116

Copyright © 2000 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.