Gender comparisons of injection drug use practices in shooting galleries

Previous research studies and anecdotal evidence portray shooting galleries as locales that place injection drug users at great risk for HIV infection , drug use and violence. Collectively, these studies highlight the need to intervene with injectors who frequent shooting galleries. However, few rese archers have studied an often-forgotten risk group - women injecting drug u sers who frequent shooting galleries - and compared their risk behaviors to their male counterparts. To address this gap in the research literature an d to evaluate the functionality of the shooting gallery as a setting for HI V prevention, we collected data on risk practices from 201 injectors (101 m en and 100 women) who were recruited from eight shooting galleries in Miami , Florida. Results indicate that, compared with men, women injectors engage d in a similar variety and frequency of injection risk behaviors and had mo re shooting companions. While only minor gender differences were apparent, relatively few - injectors male or female - adhered to current recommendati ons for needle hygiene practices. Needle hygiene practices existed equally among injectors of both sexes, however very few adhered to current recommen dations. Furthermore, contrary to common images of shooting galleries, use of other drugs was infrequently reported, episodes of violence or victimiza tion were uncommon, and sexual contact almost never occurred. Operators of shooting galleries, both men and women, indicated their willingness to part icipate in HIV prevention efforts. Implications of these findings for HIV i ntervention indicate that (1) there is a great need to intervene with both men and women IDUs who frequent shooting galleries and that (2) shooting ga lleries can be an optimal setting for HIV prevention.