3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

SPATIAL ANALYSIS OF DRUG PURCHASE AND USE LOCATIONS AMONG INJECTION DRUG USERS IN PHILADELPHIA: POTENTIAL ROLE IN HIV PREVENTION

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. WeOa0302

Kraut-Becher J., Lynch K., Fiore D., Metzger D.
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States of America

INTRODUCTION: Although the importance of spatial context is often recognized, the ability to analyze geographic variables as they relate to risk behaviors has been limited in past studies. As part of an ongoing clinical trial evaluating the impact of a social network intervention among injection drug users (IDUs) in Philadelphia, data on drug-using behaviors, including locations of where drugs were purchased and used, have been collected since December 2002. These data were used to explore relationships between HIV risk behaviors and geographic measures.

METHODS: As part of the screening procedure, all study participants were asked where they currently live, where they typically use drugs, and where they usually buy drugs. Mean distances between these three locations (MLUB) were calculated and used to examine association between distances, sociodemographic characteristics, and risk behaviors.

RESULTS: The mean age of 689 injectors was 43 years; 22% were female; and 26% were white, 63% African-American, and 11% Latino. Frequency of injection was high; 88% of IDUs reported injecting drugs at least 12 times in the past three months. Ninety-four percent of IDUs reported injecting heroin in the past three months (32% cocaine and 36% speedball). More than a quarter of IDUs reported sharing syringes (28%), while more than a third of IDUs reported sharing works (39%). MLUB among African-Americans (1.9 miles) was found to be significantly less than Caucasians (3.0 miles). In preliminary analyses, MLUB was significantly associated with sharing needles (P<.001) and sharing works (P<.05). Those with MLUB of less than a half mile reported significantly lower rates of sharing needles and sharing works.

CONCLUSIONS: Geographic information may aid in our understanding of HIV risk behaviors and help design and target new HIV prevention strategies.

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Prevention | WeOa0302 | Julie Kraut-Becher
Harm reduction and IDU-related strategies

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