Effects of Drug Use on Sexual Risk Behavior: Results of an HIV Outreach and Education Program

Abstract

We evaluated the effects on drug use and sexual risk of an HIV intervention for out-of-treatment drug users, and assessed the effect of drug use on unprotected sex with main and non-main partners. The intervention significantly reduced unprotected sex with a main partner, but did not affect drug use or unprotected sex with non-main partners. Participants who stopped using drugs by follow-up were less likely to have unprotected sex with both main and other partners.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV prevention
• drug use
• sexual risk behaviors

Notes

The intervention described in this paper was funded by SAMHSA's Center for Drug Abuse Treatment (CSAT) TI12059 (1999–2003). Additional evaluation analyses were funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health (2003–2004).

This project was carried out with funding from a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) grant from the Targeted Capacity Expansion Program for Substance Abuse Treatment and HIV/AIDS Services (TCE/HIV). The views and opinions contained in the publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and should not be construed as such.

Note. *Reference group consists of those with 16 or more days of drug use in the past 30 days.