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Multiplex Relationships and HIV: Implications for Network‐Based Interventions

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Abstract

The number of network members and the roles they play can influence risk behaviors and consequently intervention strategies to reduce HIV transmission. We recruited 652 people who use drugs (PWUD) from socially disadvantaged neighborhoods in New York City (07/2006–06/2009). Interviewer-administered surveys ascertained demographic, behavioral, and network data. We used logistic regression, stratified by exchange sex, to assess the relationship between HIV status and the number of network members with different roles, treated as independent and multiplex (i.e., drug + sex). Those with more multiplex risk ties were significantly more likely to be HIV positive, but only among those not reporting exchange sex (AOR = 3.2). Among those reporting exchange sex, men reporting recent male sex partners were more likely to report HIV positive status (AOR = 12.6). These data suggest that sex and drug relationships among PWUD are interrelated. Interventions that target multiplex rather than single-role relationships may be more effective in influencing behavior change.

Resumen

El número de personas en una red social y las funciones de cada persona en esa misma red pueden influir sus comportamientos de riesgo y en consecuencia las estrategias de intervención para reducir la transmisión del VIH. 652 personas que usan drogas fueron reclutadas de barrios socialmente desfavorecidos en New York City (07/2006–06/2009). Las encuestas recabaron características demográficas, comportamientos de riesgo, e información sobre la red social. Regresión logística (estratificada por género) evaluó la asociación entre el estatuto serológico de VIH y el número de personas de la red social, con funciones diferentes tratadas como relaciones independiente y multiplex (i.e., drogas + sexos). Los que tienen más “relaciones riesgos multiplex” presentan una mayor probabilidad de estar infectados con el VIH, pero sólo entre los que no han participado en el intercambio de sexo (AOR = 3.2). Entre los que han participado en el intercambio de sexo, hombres que recientemente tuvieron relaciones sexuales con hombres presentaron mayor propensidad a estar infectados con el VIH (AOR = 12.6). Estos datos sugieren que las relaciones sexuales y drogas entre personas que usan drogas están interrelacionados. Las intervenciones que se dirigen a relaciones multiplex en vez de relaciones de sólo una función pueden ser más adecuadas para influir cambios de comportamiento.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse Grants R01 DA022144 (PI: Lewis, CF) and K01 DA033879 (PI: Rudolph, AE).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T418E, Boston, MA, 02118-2526, USA

    Abby E. Rudolph

  2. Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Natalie D. Crawford

  3. Department of Health Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Carl Latkin

  4. Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Carl Latkin

  5. Division of Social Solutions and Services Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA

    Crystal Fuller Lewis

  6. Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA

    Crystal Fuller Lewis

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  1. Abby E. Rudolph
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  2. Natalie D. Crawford
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  4. Crystal Fuller Lewis
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Correspondence to Abby E. Rudolph.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Rudolph, A.E., Crawford, N.D., Latkin, C. et al. Multiplex Relationships and HIV: Implications for Network‐Based Interventions. AIDS Behav 21, 1219–1227 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1454-2

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