14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. ThOrD1495)

Matos TD, Robles RR, Marrero CA, Reyes JC, Colon HM
Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, Puerto Rico

BACKGROUND: The association between alcohol use and HIV risk behaviors remains unclear. This study examined if alcohol use is associated with both injection and sex risk behaviors among IDUs.

METHODS: A total of 555 IDUs not currently in a treatment program were recruited between 1998-2000 in a suburban area in Puerto Rico as participants of a randomized prevention trial.

RESULTS: Alcohol intoxication during the last 30 days was reported by 12.4% of participants. Compared to IDUs who did not report alcohol intoxication, those who did were more likely to report 4 or more injections per day (39.7% vs. 55.2%, p=.034), needles sharing (12.3% vs. 26.1%, p=.005), pooling money to buy drugs (67.5% vs. 83.8%, p=.007), had higher mean scores in the Addiction Severity Index (0.12 vs. 0.16, p=.008), were more likely to report casual sex partners (18.3% vs. 42.9%, p=.001), paid sex partners (7.7% vs. 19.0%, p=.038), and unprotected sex (71.7% vs. 88.1%, p=.024). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, injection settings, frequency of injection, and pooling money to buy drugs, IDUs who reported alcohol intoxication were more likely to share syringes (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.0-4.1).

CONCLUSIONS: IDUs who also consume alcohol to intoxication are at greater risk of exposure HIV than IDUs who did not. Preventive interventions need to address alcohol consumption and it relation with HIV risk behaviors among IDUs.

020707
ThOrD1495

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