The Relationship Between Housing Status and HIV Risk Among Active Drug Users: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between housing status and HIV risk using longitudinal, qualitative data collected in 2004–2005, from a purposeful sample of 65 active drug users in a variety of housed and homeless situations in Hartford, Connecticut. These data were supplemented with observations and in-depth interviews regarding drug use behavior collected in 2001–2005 to evaluate a peer-led HIV prevention intervention. Data reveal differences in social context within and among different housing statuses that affect HIV risk or protective behaviors including the ability to carry drug paraphernalia and HIV prevention materials, the amount of drugs in the immediate environment, access to subsidized and supportive housing, and relationships with those with whom drug users live. Policy implications of the findings, limitations to the data, and future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• crack
• HIV
• homelessness
• housing
• injection drug use
• qualitative

Notes

¹ This project was supported by a grant (R21 DA 018607) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

² RAP (R01 DA 13356, 2001–2005) was funded by a grant to the Institute for Community Research (ICR) (P30 MH 62294) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is an affiliated study of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, a partnership of Yale University, ICR, and the Hispanic Health Council.

³ All the names used in this paper are pseudonyms.