Difference in HIV testing behavior by injection status, among users of illicit drugs

ABSTRACT

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains prevalent among the marginalized and drug using population in the United States. Testing for HIV is an important and cost-effective way to reduce HIV prevalence. Our objective was to determine if there is a difference in the number of HIV testing by injection status among users of illicit drugs and if a person’s social network characteristics is a contributing factor. Using a cross-sectional design and negative binomial regression models, we assessed HIV testing behavior of people who use non-injected drugs (PWND) compared to people who use injected drugs (PWID). In an analytic sample of 539 participants, PWND tested for HIV 19% less compared to PWID, PR (95% CI) = 0.81 (0.66, 0.98), p = 0.03. Other contributing factors of testing were education, condomless sex, STIs, heroin use, and participant’s sex network. The interaction term between PWND and emotional support in relation to HIV testing was significant, 1.33 (1.03, 1.69), p=0.03. These findings suggest HIV testing behavior differed by injection status, and this relationship may be dependent on emotional support. To exert a greater impact on the HIV epidemic, interventions and policies encouraging HIV testing in PWND, an understudied at-risk sub-population, are warranted.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV testing
• illicit drug users
• HIV/AIDS prevention
• social support
• social network characteristics

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the START research team for their valuable contributions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse Grant R01-DA018061 (Principal investigator: Crystal M. Fuller Lewis), and by NIH Award R25 Grant – Initiative for maximizing student diversity.