Risk Behavior for HIV Infection of Intravenous Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners Recruited from Street Settings in Philadelphia

Abstract

We investigated needle use and sexual risk behavior for HIV infection and transmission among 723 intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and 113 non-IVDU sexual partners of IVDUs recruited from street settings in Philadelphia. We found a very high prevalence of risk behavior among both IVDUs and their sex partners, and considerable sexual interaction between these two groups and the larger community of non-IVDUs. Study participants were fairly knowledgeable about AIDS, yet inaccurately perceived themselves to be at low risk for infection. In spite of this, a substantial minority of both groups have incorporated risk reduction behaviors, such as the use of bleach for needle sterilization and condoms, suggesting that some AIDS prevention efforts are already being undertaken by drug users who are not in treatment.