Publication Abstract Display
Type: Published Abstract
Title: Psychosocial and behavioral characteristics of injection methamphetamine users.
Authors: Semple SJ, Patterson TL , Grant I
Year: 2004
Publication: Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Volume: 27 Issue: Pages: S141
Abstract:There is a paucity of research on the psychosocial and behavioral characteristics of individuals who inject methamphetamine (meth). This study compared injection and non-injection users of meth in terms of background characteristics, drug and alcohol use patterns, health and psychosocial problems, sexual risk behavior, and psychosocial factors. The sample consisted of 194 HIV+ Men who have Sex with men (MSM) who were enrolled in a sexual risk reduction intervention designed for meth users. The majority of participants were Caucasian, never married, had less that a high school education, and either lived alone or with other adults in a non-sexual relationship. HIV+ MSM who injected meth were significantly more likely to be Caucasian, bisexual, homeless, divorced or separated, with lower educational attainment as compared to non-injection users of meth. Injectors also reported more years of meth use, greater frequency and amount of meth use more social problems (I.e., violent behavior, felony convictions), more health problems (i.e., high prevalence of STD`s and Hepatitis C), and more sexual risk behaviors (i.e., more trading of sex for drugs or money). In terms of psychosocial factors, injections users of meth scored significantly higher on measures of impulsivity and social stigma (i.e., experiences of rejection), and lower on a measure of emotional support. A multivariate logistic regression revealed that educational attainment and experiences of rejection were the factors that best discriminated between injection and non-injection users of meth. The unique characteristics of injection meth users are discussed in relation to the development of effective HIV prevention programs for the target population.

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