The Influence of Gender on Factors Associated with HIV Transmission Risk Among Young Russian Injection Drug Users

• Published in: The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse 2003-01, Vol.29 (4), p.881-894
• Main Authors: Gore-Felton, Cheryl, Somlai, Anton M., Benotsch, Eric G., Kelly, Jeffrey A., Ostrovski, Dimitri, Kozlov, Andrei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; Age Differences; Disease transmission; Drug Injection; Drug use; Female; Gender differences; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health risk assessment; HIV; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV Infections - transmission; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Injection drug use; Injections; Interviews as Topic; Linear Models; Male; Needle Sharing - adverse effects; Needle Sharing - psychology; Needle Sharing - statistics & numerical data; Risk; Risk-Taking; Russia; Russia - epidemiology; Sex Differences; Sex Factors; Sexual Behavior; Sexual Behavior - psychology; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - psychology; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - virology; Urban Health - statistics & numerical data; Women; Young Adults
• ISSN: 0095-2990; 1097-9891
• DOI: 10.1081/ADA-120026267

HIV infection rates are dramatically increasing in the Russian Federation. Epidemiological studies indicate that the greatest rise of HIV incidence has been among injection drug users (IDU). Young adults (N = 188) who reported injecting drug use completed surveys and interviews that assessed injection drug use behavior, sexual behavior, and HIV-related knowledge. The average age of participants was 21.3 years. Multiple linear regression analysis found male gender and younger age at sexual debut was positively and significantly associated with having multiple sexual partners. Gender moderated the effects of sexual debut and number of times injected drugs were used in the past month. Males who initiate sex at a younger age were more likely to report multiple sex partners and females who reported higher frequency of drug use were more likely to report multiple sex partners. Gender is an important factor, as well as moderator of risk behavior among Russian injection drug users. Delaying sexual debut, particularly for males, may be an effective strategy to reduce subsequent risk behavior. Prevention efforts among IDUs need to address sexual risk behavior in conjunction with injection risk behavior.