PREDICTORS OF HIV-INFECTION AMONG WOMEN DRUG-USERS IN NEW-YORK AND MIAMI

In the US, the number of women diagnosed with AIDS continues to increa se. In this study, women in New York City (East Harlem) and Miami, two sites with high rates of drug use and HIV infection, were first compa red on sociodemographic variables and risk behaviors. Logistic regress ion analyses were used to identify significant, independent predictors of HIV infection in each city. In comparing women from the two cities , several differences in sociodemographic characteristics and drug use were observed. In both cities, ever exchanging sex for drugs and/or m oney was predictive of HIV infection; and in East Harlem only, other l ifetime risk variables independently predicted HIV infection: drug inj ection, having a sexually transmitted disease, and not having graduate d from high school. Results suggest that intervention efforts with wom en who exchange sex should be intensified in both cities. Also, furthe r comparisons of women drug users in AIDS epicenter cities are necessa ry to provide information on similarities and differences in sociodemo graphic characteristics and individual risk behaviors. More research a ttention should be focused on examining the social context of HIV risk in order to develop innovative intervention strategies which focus on the link between contextual factors and HIV infection.