CRACK USE AND HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS INFECTION AMONG SAN-FRANCISCO INTRAVENOUS-DRUG-USERS

The relationship between crack use, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and risk behavior among 1281 intravenous drug users in tre atment is analyzed. Of these patients, 23% reported crack use, and bla cks and women were more likely to use crack. Of crack users 19% were H IV positive, in comparison to 8% of non-users (OR = 2.9, P = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, the association was no longer significant (O R = 1.4, P = 0.14). Independent behavioral predictors of HIV seroposit ivity were number of sexual partners, and intravenous cocaine use amon g blacks. Crack use was a marker for high-risk sexual and drug use beh avior in the study population.