Impact of Social Network Characteristics on High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Non-Injection Drug Users

Daniel J. Pilowsky Department of Psychiatry, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA

Donald Hoover Rutgers State University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

Bernadette Hadden Hunter College School of Social Work, City University of New York, New York, New York, USA

Crystal Fuller Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA; Center for Urban Epidemiological Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, New York, USA

Danielle C. Ompad Center for Urban Epidemiological Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, New York, New York, USA

Howard F. Andrews HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA

Cora L. de Leon Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA

Lori Hoepner HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA

Qi Xia Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA

Carl Latkin Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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Abstract

Sexually active non-injection drug users in New York City and their sexual partners or fellow drug users (N = 264) were recruited from 2002 to 2005, and associations between social network characteristics and sexual risk behaviors were examined. We assessed social networks, sexual practices, and drug use. Results suggest having a drug-centered social network, i.e., a network that includes a high proportion of individuals who provide, receive, or use drugs, increases the risk of engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors. The study's limitations are noted and longitudinal studies are needed to ascertain whether these associations are causal. Funding was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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Impact of Social Network Characteristics on High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Non-Injection Drug Users

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Impact of Social Network Characteristics on High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Non-Injection Drug Users

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