Depressive Symptoms, Illicit Drug Use and HIV/STI Risk Among Sexual Minority Young Adults

Abstract

This study examined the interaction of depressive symptoms and drug use on HIV/STI risk among sexual minority young adults. Analyses tested the interactive effect of depressive symptoms and drug use on unprotected sex. Among drug users, more depressive symptoms were associated with higher rates of unprotected sex with a male partner (for both male and female participants), but this was nonsignificant for nonusers. Interventions with these groups should incorporate content on depression and drug use to reduce HIV/STI risk. Prevention efforts also should not neglect the vulnerability of young women that have sex with women and/or identify as nonheterosexual.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV prevention
• depression
• drug use
• sexual minorities
• young adults

Acknowledgments

Research supported by NIDA grant K23DA021532, NIMH grant T32MH 078788-04 and the Lifespan/Tufts/Brown Center for AIDS Research for the data analysis and manuscript preparation. Howard Brown Health Center and The City of Chicago Department of Public Health provided financial support for data collection and management. This research was made possible by generous contributions of time and energy from Howard Brown Health Center staff and volunteers and the collaboration of gay, lesbian and bisexual community members in community health research. Recruitment of participants was conducted in collaboration with community-based gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender and HIV/AIDS organizations in Chicago.