Comparison of HIV Risk by Duration of Injection Drug Use

• Published in: Substance use & misuse Vol. 46; no. 2-3; pp. 181 - 191
• Main Authors: Vlahov, David, C Ompad, Danielle, M Fuller, Crystal, Nandi, Vijay
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa Healthcare 01-01-2011; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; adolescent and young adults; Adult; Disease prevention; Drug Abuse; Drug Injection; Drug use; Drug Users; epidemiology; HIV; HIV Infections; HIV Seropositivity; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; injection; Injections; Interviews as Topic; Intravenous drug addiction; Intravenous drug addicts; Neighborhoods; Neighbourhoods; New York City; New York City, New York; Prevention; Preventive programmes; Risk; Risk-Taking; Sex Differences; Sexual Behavior; Studies; Substance Abuse, Intravenous; substance use; Time Factors; New York City; United States > US; New York City New York
• ISSN: 1082-6084; 1532-2491
• DOI: 10.3109/10826084.2011.521466

Early studies documented an inverse association between the HIV risk and duration of injection among injection drug users (IDUs). Results from subsequent studies have been inconsistent. To examine this issue, we conducted interviews with 395 street-recruited active IDUs from 38 neighborhoods in New York City during 2005 and 2008. We observed no significant differences in drug or risky sex behaviors by duration of drug use among these IDUs. Despite this, continuing to tailor HIV prevention programs for these recent-onset IDUs is prudent. The study's limitations are noted.