BLEACHING INJECTION EQUIPMENT - INFLUENCING FACTORS AMONG IDUS WHO SHARE

This study investigates factors influencing needle-bleaching intention s and behavior among IDUs who share injection equipment. Analysis of 4 43 interviews conducted with IDUs who share revealed that intention to bleach and frequency of bleaching were positively associated with att itudes, social norms, perceived behavioral control, and perceived risk of unsafe sharing. Intention was related (positively) to exposure. to AIDS-prevention information, whereas frequency of bleaching was assoc iated (negatively) with frequency of intoxication. Exposure to AIDS in formation may be more effective in creating intention to bleach needle s than in stimulating behavior, and noninjection drug use may inhibit bleaching behavior.