GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SEX-RISK BEHAVIORS, ECONOMIC LIVELIHOOD, AND SELF-CONCEPT AMONG DRUG INJECTORS AND CRACK SMOKERS

The authors compared male and female substance abusers and found that female substance abusers were at increased risk for HIV, relative to m ales, through sex-risk behaviors. Specifically, women were more likely to have had sexual relations with a drug injector and greater involve ment in prostitution, including exchanging sex for drugs or money, tha n men. Women had fewer legitimate employment opportunities and were le ss likely to have received support through illegal sources, excluding prostitution, than men. Women had significantly lower perceived self-c oncept, greater depression, and more anxiety than men. Gender, economi c means of support, and self-concept were highly interrelated. These f indings underscore the need for interventions that address the economi cally marginalized position of addicted women and their low self-conce pt.