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Gender Differences in the Prevalence and Behavioral Risk Factors of HIV in South African Drug Users

AIDS and Behavior volume 13, pages 288–296 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

South Africa continues to be the global epicenter of HIV infection. Further, extensive gender disparities in HIV infection exist with females four times as likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS as males (UNAIDS, AIDS epidemic update, 2006; WHO, Epidemiological fact sheets on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, 2006). A cross-sectional collection of drug users recruited in the Pretoria region of South Africa (N = 385) was used to model HIV infection as a function of sexual risk behaviors and drug use as modified by gender. Receiving money from illicit sources and knowing someone with AIDS were loosely associated with HIV. Gender interactions were observed for age, cocaine use and condom use. Gender stratified analyses revealed that males who used condoms, were younger and tested negative for cocaine use were less likely to test positive for HIV. Findings suggest that males may have more control of risk behaviors and support the need for gender specific prevention strategies.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this study was made possible by NIDA supplement to R01DA014498 and T32DA007292 funding through the National Institute of Drug Abuse. The authors would like to acknowledge the Drug Dependence Epidemiology Training grant publication work group for assistance in editing the manuscript.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Hampton House 897, 624 North Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Sarra L. Hedden, Damiya Whitaker, Leah Floyd & William W. Latimer

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  1. Sarra L. Hedden
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  2. Damiya Whitaker
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  3. Leah Floyd
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  4. William W. Latimer
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Correspondence to Sarra L. Hedden.

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Hedden, S.L., Whitaker, D., Floyd, L. et al. Gender Differences in the Prevalence and Behavioral Risk Factors of HIV in South African Drug Users. AIDS Behav 13, 288–296 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9467-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9467-0

Keywords

  • HIV
  • South Africa
  • Risk behaviors
  • Drug abuse
  • Gender