Age and HIV risk in a national sample of injection drug and crack cocaine users

Citation
Aj. Richard et al., Age and HIV risk in a national sample of injection drug and crack cocaine users, SUBST USE M, 35(10), 2000, pp. 1385-1404
Citations number
61
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science","Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
SUBSTANCE USE & MISUSE
ISSN journal
10826084 → ACNP
Volume
35
Issue
10
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1385 - 1404
Database
ISI
SICI code
1082-6084(2000)35:10<1385:AAHRIA>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
A national sample of 25,106 out-of-treatment crack cocaine and injection dr ug users was examined to determine the effect of aging on HIV risk behavior . Injectors and crack cocaine users aged 55 and over were compared to those who were aged 18 to 54 years of age. Results showed that the behavior risk of older persons did not differ substantially from those reported by other age groups, and that injection risk rose steadily along with age for all a ges represented in the sample. The authors conclude that older persons who use illegal drugs remain at elevated risk for HIV compared to the general p opulation, and may be in need of more targeted intervention strategies.