Faculty Collaboration Database

Characteristics and predictors of HIV risk behaviors among injection-drug-using men and women in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS Educ Prev 2002 Aug;14(4):295-305

Date

09/06/2002

Pubmed ID

12212716

DOI

10.1521/aeap.14.5.295.23873

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0036668744 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   44 Citations

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors and drug-using behaviors in a large community sample of male and female injection drug users (IDUs) in St. Petersburg, Russia. This investigation used a data collection plan that systematically recruited a drug user sample from venues where IDUs were known to congregate and could be accessed. Surveys were completed by 239 IDUs (males = 139, females = 100), aged 13-25. Participants averaged 44 injections (range = 0-240) in the past 30 days, with heroin (70%) and heroin plus other drugs (20%) the most frequently used. Participants' mean age of first drug injecting was 17.6 years, 41% of participants regularly shared needles, most had multiple sexual partners (mean = 9.3 partners in the past 3 months), and 70% reported engaging in vaginal intercourse without condoms. Stepwise logistic regression showed that high-risk sexual behavior was predicted by being female, young, using heroin several times a month, and less negative attitudes toward using condoms. Effective HIV prevention efforts for IDUs in Russia must be tailored to their age, gender, drug use, and condom attitudes. These programs will also have to address the dual risk factors, unique to IDUs, of risky sexual behaviors and needle sharing. Without a rapid intervention response, Russia's HIV/AIDS crisis will soon turn catastrophic.

Author List

Somlai AM, Kelly JA, Benotsch E, Gore-Felton C, Ostrovski D, McAuliffe T, Kozlov AP

Authors

Jeffrey A. Kelly PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Timothy L. McAuliffe PhD Professor in the Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Female
HIV Infections
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Risk-Taking
Russia
Sexual Behavior
Substance Abuse, Intravenous
Surveys and Questionnaires
Urban Population