BACKGROUND: Puerto Rican drug users recruited in NY who previously used drugs in Puerto Rico (PR) have been found to have higher HIV injection and sex-related risk behaviors than those who had not used in PR. This study examined predictors of risk among migrant Puerto Rican drug users. (For the purpose of this paper, the term "migrant" was used to designate Puerto Rican drug users who had used drugs in Puerto Rico and were recruited in New York or New Jersey). METHODS: A total of 290 drug users who had previously used drugs in PR were recruited in NY and New Jersey and interviewed regarding drug use history and HIV risk behaviors. RESULTS: Participants engaged in high risk behaviors, e.g., 39% shared injection paraphernalia and 62% reported unprotected sex. Multivariate analyses found that predictors of injection-related risk included being born in PR and purchasing drugs jointly with other drug users; predictors of sex-related risk included younger age and homelessness. DISCUSSION: Addressing risk reduction among those drug users who were born in Puerto Rico and are younger or homeless was indicated, and efforts to reach those at highest risk through NEPs was recommended.
BACKGROUND: Puerto Rican drug users recruited in NY who previously used drugs in Puerto Rico (PR) have been found to have higher HIV injection and sex-related risk behaviors than those who had not used in PR. This study examined predictors of risk among migrant Puerto Rican drug users. (For the purpose of this paper, the term "migrant" was used to designate Puerto Rican drug users who had used drugs in Puerto Rico and were recruited in New York or New Jersey). METHODS: A total of 290 drug users who had previously used drugs in PR were recruited in NY and New Jersey and interviewed regarding drug use history and HIV risk behaviors. RESULTS:Participants engaged in high risk behaviors, e.g., 39% shared injection paraphernalia and 62% reported unprotected sex. Multivariate analyses found that predictors of injection-related risk included being born in PR and purchasing drugs jointly with other drug users; predictors of sex-related risk included younger age and homelessness. DISCUSSION: Addressing risk reduction among those drug users who were born in Puerto Rico and are younger or homeless was indicated, and efforts to reach those at highest risk through NEPs was recommended.
Authors: S Deren; D Oliver-Velez; A Finlinson; R Robles; J Andia; H M Colón; S Y Kang; M Shedlin Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 2.164
Authors: Sherry Deren; Sung-Yeon Kang; Hector M Colón; Jonny F Andia; Rafaela R Robles; Denise Oliver-Velez; Ann Finlinson Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2003-05 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Beth Rachlis; Kimberly C Brouwer; Edward J Mills; Michael Hayes; Thomas Kerr; Robert S Hogg Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2007-05-07 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Melissa A Sanchez; George F Lemp; Carlos Magis-Rodríguez; Enrique Bravo-García; Susan Carter; Juan D Ruiz Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2004-11-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Don C Des Jarlais; Theresa Perlis; Kamyar Arasteh; Holly Hagan; Judith Milliken; Naomi Braine; Stanley Yancovitz; Donna Mildvan; David C Perlman; Carey Maslow; Samuel R Friedman Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2004-02-01 Impact factor: 3.731