Sexual Behaviors and Cocaine Preference among Injection Drug Users in Los Angeles

Abstract

Based on a 1988–91 sample of 826 drug-using arrestees in Los Angeles, this study compares the sexual behaviors of users whose preferred injection drug is cocaine and users with a preference for heroin or no preference between the two drugs. Sex with multiple partners is more common among users whose preferred injection drug is cocaine after variables such as age, gender, and crack use are controlled. Condom use and frequency of sex while high are not related to injection cocaine preference in this sample. These results suggest that preventive outreach to injection drug users in Los Angeles might be more effective if tailored to sexual behavior patterns that vary by injection drug.