CRACK USERS IN EAST HARLEM, NEW-YORK AND PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA -HIV-RELATED RISK BEHAVIORS AND PREDICTORS OF SEROSTATUS

Crack use has been associated with increased risk for HIV seropositivi ty. This study was undertaken to examine HIV-related risk behaviors am ong crack users-in East Harlem, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvani a, two northeastern communities which have reported extensive crack us e. Crack users recruited in East Harlem (n = 1434) and Philadelphia (n = 694) were compared on demographics, drug and sex-related risk behav iors, health-related behaviors, and HIV serostatus. Many significant d ifferences were found, and seropositivity was higher in the New York s ample (25% vs. 11%, X-2 = 36.28, p < .001). Being a recent drug inject or was a significant predictor of seropositivity in both communities, and differences between communities were found in additional predictor s of serostatus. Results suggest that tailored HIV interventions may b e needed for different communities. In addition, aggregate data across communities, even those that may be in geographical proximity, may ob fuscate differences important to incorporate in developing prevention/ intervention efforts.