HIV risk behaviors in adolescent and young adult substance users undergoing treatment

Among substance abusing youth, HIV remains a threat, due in part to the multiple risk factors often found in this population. Therefore, drug detoxification facilities are important sites in which to characterize the extent of drug and sexual co-occurring risk behaviors among patients. We distributed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire to patients at two state-funded Rhode Island detoxification facilities to examine the HIV-related risk behaviors of adolescent and young adult substance abusers, and to examine the influence of gender on these behaviors. We found that sixty-two percent of all respondents reported injecting drugs in the past six months, and 67% of current IDUs reported sharing syringes in the past six months. Forty-six percent and 70% of sexually active youth reported never using condoms in the past six months for vaginal and anal sex, respectively. Females were significantly more likely to report a lifetime history of injecting drugs, exchanging sex for drugs or money, and having sex with an IDU. The high rates of sharing injection equipment and the prevalence of risky sexual activity underscore the need to develop interventions that specifically address the needs of young substance abusing males and females.