ABSTRACT
This study assesses factors associated with incarceration history and HIV seropositivity among 1,700 out-of-treatment drug injectors recruited in Puerto Rico between 1989-1990 from health care centers, emergency rooms, copping areas, shooting galleries, bars, billiard rooms and street corners. Analysis links incarceration history with criminal involvement and chronic drug use. After controlling for sociodemographics and previously reported correlates of HIV status, regression analysis shows incarceration history significantly relates to HIV status. The only predictor of incarceration history not related to HIV status was illegal activity as a major source of income. Analysis emphasizes HIV prevention programs within the penal system
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/epidemiology , HIV Seropositivity/epidemiology , Prisoners , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , HIV Seropositivity/complications , Logistic Models , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
This study compares the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and HIV risk behaviors among 1,702 injection drug users (IDUs) recruited within four catchment areas in metropolitan San Juan (79.9 per cent male and 20.1 per cent female). To assess the impact of different antecedent variables on intercommunity risk differences, we constructed separate logistic regression models for each one of the catchment areas in the analysis. Old San Juan/Santurce has the highest rate of HIV seropositivity. Furthermore, Old San Juan/Santurce IDUs were more likely to have had incarceration experience, to report using drugs only by injection, and to have been injecting drugs for 16 years or more. Also, this group was more likely to report practicing prostitution and to have been diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) than their peers from the other sites. The need of preventive programs in specific communities within metropolitan urban areas is discussed
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/epidemiology , HIV Infections/epidemiology , Risk-Taking , Substance Abuse, Intravenous/complications , Catchment Area, Health , HIV Infections/complications , Logistic Models , Prevalence , Puerto Rico/epidemiology , Urban HealthABSTRACT
El uso compartido de aparatos para la inyección de drogas constituye el medio más comúm de transmissión del VIH en Puerto Rico. Existe una gran necesidad de información sobre estilos de vida y conducta de riesgo de usuarios de drogas inyectadas (UDI's) que no están bajo tratamiento. El estudio analiza los patrones de utilización de programas de tratamiento entre 862 UDI's y las diferencias entre UDI's con y sin historial de tratamiento. Los resultados revelam que los terceras partes de los UDI's habían estado bajo tratamiento; en un promedio de tres veces, con una estadía promedio de tres semanas. Un análisis discriminante escalonado reveló que el número de años inyectándose, estadias en prisión, diagnósticos previos de hepatitis y vivir con los padres son los factores más relevantes para discrimianr entre aquellos con y sin historial previo de tratamiento. Las implicaciones de política pública de los resultados son también mencionados