National HIV Prevention Conference Atlanta, Georgia, USA — July 27 - 30, 2003

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-B1003
Deren S, Kang S, Colon HM, Andia JF, Robles RR
Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, NDRI, New York, NY

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:: While reductions in HIV seroprevalence among Puerto Rican drug users in both Puerto Rico(PR) and in New York City(NYC) have been reported, higher risk behaviors in Puerto Rico indicate the need to examine seroincidence, a better measure of prevention needs, in both locations.

METHODS: The ARIBBA (Alliance for Research in El Barrio and Bayamon) Project recruited Puerto Rican injection drug users (IDUs)and crack smokers in East Harlem, NYC and Bayamon, PR, through targeted sampling. A total of 899 seronegative participants were recruited for interviews and HIV testing during 1998-99; follow-up interviewing and testing are underway, conducted at approximately 6, 36 and 42 months after baseline; thus far 79% in NYC ( N=455); and 84% in PR (N=268) received at least one follow-up test.

RESULTS: A total of 32 seroconverters (SCs) were identified, 9 in NYC and 23 in PR, for incidence rates of .88/100pyr in NYC (95%CI= .31-1.45) and 3.37/100pyr in PR(95%CI=2.02-4.72) (p<.001). Those most likely to seroconvert were younger (SCs, 31.9 vs non-SCs, 36.3, p<.01) and were less likely to have ever been in methadone treatment (MT) (SCs, 10%; non-SCs, 58%, p<.001). IDUs who were most at risk to seroconvert injected more frequently (SCs, 204/mo; non-SCs, 116/ mo, p<.001), and were more likely to use shooting galleries (83% vs 42%, p<.001). MT was less available in PR, where risk behaviors were higher.

CONCLUSIONS: The alarmingly high incidence rate in Puerto Rico indicates that additional efforts to reduce risk are urgently needed, and should include expanding availability of methadone treatment.

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M1-B1003

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