Preliminary findings on the links between violence, crime, and HIV risk among young adults with substance use disorders in El Salvador

Abstract

The links between substance use and violence, crime, and HIV risk behavior have been well-documented among individuals in developed nations. However, it remains uncertain how, and to what degree, such behaviors are related in the severe socio-environmental context of marginalized communities in developing nations like El Salvador. Using data from a sample of young adult men (n = 177; ages 18–26) residing in marginalized communities in San Salvador, El Salvador (June–November 2011), we conducted Chi-square tests of association and two group mean comparison tests to examine the bivariate associations between substance use disorders (SUDs) and violence, crime, and HIV risk behavior. Results indicate that individuals meeting criteria for SUDs are approximately two to three times more likely than those not meeting criteria to report recent involvement in all violent and criminal outcomes examined in this study. Particularly robust effects were identified in terms of carrying a hidden weapon (χ²= 26.98, p < 0.001, φ = 0.390) and attacking someone with a weapon or with the idea of seriously hurting/killing them (χ²= 17.80, p < 0.001, φ = 0.317). Overall, findings suggest that SUDs are strongly associated with violence, crime, and HIV risk behavior within El Salvador’s marginalized communities.

• Crime
• Latin America
• risky sexual behavior
• substance use disorders
• violence

Funding

This research was supported in part by grant numbers T32 DA016184 (PI: Rohsenow) and R25 DA026401 (PI: Valdez) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health.