A comparison of HIV risk behaviors between early and late initiators of injection drug use in Houston, Texas

Abstract

Background: Injecting drug use accounts for 10% of new HIV cases worldwide. Younger injecting drug users are more likely to engage in HIV risk behaviors. Objectives: To assess the association between the age at initiation of injecting drugs and HIV risk behaviors. Methods: Houston data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System were analyzed. The primary exposure variable was the self-reported age at injecting drug initiation. This study assessed whether individuals who initiated injecting drugs before and after the age of 21 differ by selected socio-demographic characteristics and high risk behaviors. Results: Black race and lower education level were shown to be the only statistically significant factors with those self-reported to initiate injecting drugs before turning 21. The group initiating use before the age of 21 was found to be more likely to share needles. Conclusions: This study highlights that race and education are positively associated with younger injecting drug initiation and younger injectors tend to engage in HIV risk behaviors such as needle sharing.

• HIV risk behaviors
• injecting drug use
• young injecting drug users

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the staff of the HIV Behavioral Surveillance Program in the Houston Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Texas School of Public Health.