HIV SEROPREVALENCE RATES AMONG HOMICIDE VICTIMS IN NEW-YORK-CITY - 1991-1993

This study assessed HIV seroprevalence in homicide victims killed in N ew York City in 1991-1993, using data from the Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Among 5852 homicide victims there were 344 (5.9%) victims w ho were HIV positive. Females were just as likely as males to be HIV p ositive. For females, the highest rates were in the 25-34 year (11.7%) and 35-44 year (12.6%) age categories. For males the highest rates we re in the 35-44 year (13.7%) and 45-54 year (11.5%) age categories. Ot her than there being no HIV positive Asian victims, there were no diff erences in HIV rates among racial/ethnic groups. The highest rates of HIV infection for homicide victims were among those using both opiates and cocaine (males: 23.0%; females: 27.3%). Women, not men, using coc aine alone had a high HIV positive rate (18.4%). Victims not using the se drugs had rates of HIV around 2%. The authors believe that the high risk of HIV among homicide victims, may be due to the use of cocaine and associated risky use of needles and risky sex practices.