HIV knowledge, beliefs and sexual behavior of male heterosexual drug usersand non-drug users attending an HIV testing clinic in Israel

The aim of the study was to compare HIV-related knowledge, beliefs in self- control and sexual behavior of non-drug using and drug using heterosexual m en. All individuals attending an HIV testing site during a two-month period were asl;ed to complete a questionnaire anonymously. Data for 49 drug user s (DU), most of them non-injectors, were compared to that of 94 nun-drug us ing (non-DU) men with similar education levels (high school or less). Sexua l behavior items refer to previous six months. Findings: HN-related knowled ge was reported correctly by the majority of men in both groups, but the DU showed significantly more misconceptions (p<0.01). Consistent but statisti cally insignificant lower levels of self-control were reported by the DU. T ype of sexual relations and the number of regular sexual partners were not different between the groups: 55% of the DU and 67% of the non-DU were not monogamous. DU had either none or many casual partners (three or more), sig nificantly different from the non-DU. The proportion of DU who never used c ondoms (65%) was higher as compared to non-DU men (43%, p<0.05). However, w hen controlling for type of partnership, this difference was sustained only among monogamous men (82% of DU vs. 42% of non-DU never used condoms, p<0. 05). Condom use was significantly associated with age, HIV knowledge and se xual partnership in the DU. The greater deficiencies in HIV-related knowled ge, and the prevalence of risk behaviors among DU require intensive individ ual and group counselling, specifically adapted for the needs and the cultu re of drug users in Israel and incorporated with social-influence-orientate d change processes.