HIV RISK-FACTORS AMONG PREGNANT AND NONPREGNANT HIGH-RISK WOMEN IN NEW-YORK-CITY

A comparison of high-risk pregnant (n = 55) and non-pregnant (n = 598) women from Harlem, New York City on HIV-related drug and sexual risk behaviors was undertaken to identify appropriate prevention and interv ention policy recommendations. Clients were recruited for an AIDS risk reduction research demonstration project and were either intravenous drug users (IVDUs) or sexual partners of IVDUs. There was a higher per centage of IVDUs among the non-pregnant women, and no significant diff erences were found between pregnant and non-pregnant IVDUs in terms of needle risk behaviors. The two groups were also similar in non-inject ed drug use behaviors. Pregnant women were significantly less likely t o use condoms. Recommendations focused on the need for increased HIV r isk reduction among high-risk women in general, and increased educatio n efforts among pregnant high-risk women regarding condom use as prote ction from HIV and the potential consequences of maternal substance us e for their children.