American Journal of Public Health
Volume 93, Issue 5, 2003, Pages 812-816

Migration and HIV Risk Behaviors: Puerto Rican Drug Injectors in New York City and Puerto Rico (Article)

Deren S.* , Kang S.-Y. , Colón H.M. , Andia J.F. , Robles R.R. , Oliver-Velez D. , Finlinson A.
  • a Natl. Devmt. and Res. Inst. Inc., New York, NY, United States, Natl. Devmt. and Research Institutes, 71 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10010, United States
  • b Natl. Devmt. and Res. Inst. Inc., New York, NY, United States
  • c Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
  • d Natl. Devmt. and Res. Inst. Inc., New York, NY, United States
  • e Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
  • f Natl. Devmt. and Res. Inst. Inc., New York, NY, United States
  • g Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico

Abstract

Objectives. We compared injection-related HIV risk behaviors of Puerto Rican current injection drug users (IDUs) living in New York City and in Puerto Rico who also had injected in the other location with those who had not. Methods. We recruited Puerto Rican IDUs in New York City (n=561) and in Puerto Rico (n=312). Of the former, 39% were "newcomers," having previously injected in Puerto Rico; of the latter, 14% were "returnees," having previously injected in New York. We compared risk behaviors within each sample between those with and without experience injecting in the other location. Results. Newcomers reported higher levels of risk behaviors than other New York IDUs. Newcomer status (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.62) and homelessness (adjusted OR=2.52) were significant predictors of "shooting gallery" use; newcomer status also predicted paraphernalia sharing (adjusted OR=1.67). Returnee status was not related to these variables. Conclusions. Intervention services are needed that target mobile populations who are coming from an environment of high-risk behavior to one of low-risk behavior.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Puerto Rico HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection risk human Odds Ratio statistics controlled study Street Drugs street drug substance abuse Needle Sharing ethnology United States Humans classification Adolescent male female high risk population Article high risk behavior Risk-Taking Substance Abuse, Intravenous major clinical study adult migration drug abuse New York City infection risk Homeless Persons Emigration and Immigration homelessness
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0038317617&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.93.5.812&partnerID=40&md5=dec72a1024307ac06f1043ee3615c722
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.93.5.812
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 71
Original Language: English