How Rational is Needle Sharing to Young Injecting Drug Users?

Abstract

Rational Decision-Making (RDM) models, which focus on individuals' cognitions and attitudes. have been applied to the explanation of HIV/AIDS risk behaviour. The concept of rational choice which underpins RDM models has, however, been found to be inadequate to explain young people's sexual risk-taking behaviour. The current paper uses primarily qualitative data from a study of HIV/AIDS risk behaviour among young drug injectors to explore whether or not needle sharing behaviour could be explained by RDM models. In general, we found it could not: some young injectors, despite knowing that HIV can be transmitted through needle sharing and thai AIDS is fatal, continued to share needles. It was clear, however, that behaviour that appeared irrational from the perspective of RDM models, was not irrational from the perspective of the actors. The paper concludes with a plea for health promotion and education to be based on understandings of injecting risk behaviour which address all the individual, cultural and societal constraints that operate to prevent young injectors from acting safely.

Key Words:

• Aids
• IV Drug Use
• Youth
• Decision-Making
• Risk Behaviour