AEGiS-14IAC: Social network approaches to HIV prevention and care: Theoretical and methodological considerations of intervention.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Social network approaches to HIV prevention and care: Theoretical and methodological considerations of intervention.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no.. ThOrE1501)

Knowlton AR
Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States

BACKGROUND: Theory-based research may help identify potential targets and strategies of intervention to promote HIV prevention and care among populations living with HIV/AIDS. Social theories suggest that social- compared to individual-level intervention may be more powerful for effecting and sustaining behavior change. The paper summarizes our social contextual research findings for instructive discussion of how research findings and theories of social influence, social norms, and social capital may inform unified intervention for HIV prevention and care.

METHODS: Social network analysis was used to identify structural, functional, and relational network characteristics associated with behavioral risk (n=503) and medical service seeking (n=297) among HIV seropositive injection drug users in Baltimore, U.S.A. Sociodemographics of participants' network members were also assessed.

RESULTS: Specific forms and sources of social support were associated with sexual and injection risk behaviors, formal medical care seeking, and network provision of informal care. Findings elucidate how the social stigma of drug use affects the social and economic marginalization of drug users, particularly female drug users, and its affects on their HIV risk and care seeking behaviors. Findings suggest the influence of female support on health behaviors, and the potential roles of sex partners and supportive kin and non-kin alike in affecting access to health resources.

CONCLUSIONS: Social network analysis may aid in identifying individuals who influence a population's health behaviors and access to health resources. These individuals may be important targets for intervention approaches that capitalize on their potential influences on social norms of behavioral risk and service seeking, and mobilizing community informal HIV care. Findings may aid in understanding social theories and research methodologies relevant for developing unified approaches to HIV prevention and care.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Social Support, Risk-Taking, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Sexual Partners, Health Behavior, Substance-Related Disorders, Socioeconomic Factors, Baltimore, United States, Female, prevention & control, nursing

020707
ThOrE1501