Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Gender Differences in Social Network Influence among Injection Drug Users: Perceived Norms and Needle Sharing

  • Published:
Journal of Urban Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Whereas substantial research has linked perceived norms and HIV sexual risk behavior, less attention has been given to the relationship between perceived norms and injection drug practices. This study investigated the relationship between needle sharing and perceived norms in a sample of injection drug users. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 684 injectors from the STEP Into Action (STEP) project in Baltimore, Maryland. Logistic regression was used to assess the associations between perceived norms (descriptive and injunctive norms) and needle sharing. Results were stratified by gender. Descriptive norms were significantly related to needle sharing among males (AOR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.20–2.40) and females (AOR = 1.78; 95%CI = 1.24–2.55). Whereas injunctive norms were significantly associated with needle sharing among men (AOR = 1.30 95%CI = 1.05–1.61), this association was not significant among women (AOR = 0.99; 95%CI = 0.74–1.31). These findings suggest the utility of peer education interventions that promote norms regarding risk reduction among injection drug users. The data also provide support for gender-specific HIV prevention interventions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Des Jarlais DC, Friedman SR, Hopkins W. Risk Reduction for the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome among intravenous drug users. Ann Intern Med. 1985;103:755–759.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Friedman SR, Aral S. Social networks, risk-potential networks, health, and disease. J Urban Health. 2001;78:411–418.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Latkin CA. Outreach in natural settings: the use of peer leaders for HIV prevention among injecting drug users’ networks. Public Health Rep. 1998;113(Suppl 1):151–159.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Neaigus A. The network approach and interventions to prevent HIV among injection drug users. Public Health Rep. 1998;113(Suppl 1):140–150.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Latane B. The psychology of social impact. Am Psychol. 1981;36:343–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Latkin CA, Knowlton AR, Sherman S. Routes of drug administration, differential affiliation, and lifestyle stability among cocaine and opiate users: implications to HIV prevention. J Subst Abuse Treat. 2001;13:89–102.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Asch SE. Rules and values. In: Asch SE, ed. Social Psychology. Upper Saddle River. NJ: Prentice Hall; 1952:350–363.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  8. Sherif M. The Psychology of Social Norms. Oxford: Harper Torchbooks; 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hyman HH. The psychology of status. Arch Psychol. 1942;269:5–91.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Festinger L. A theory of social comparison processes. Hum Relat. 1954;7:117–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Lapinski MK, Rimal RN. An explication of social norms. Commun Theory. 2005;15:127–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Cialdini RB, Reno RR, Kallgreen CA. A focus theory of normative conduct: recycling the concept of norms to reduce littering in public places. J Pers Soc Psychol. 1990;58:1015–1026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Miller-Day M, Barnett JM. “I’m not a druggie”: Adolescents’ ethnicity and (erroneous) belief about drug use norms. Health Commun. 2004;16:207–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Borsari B, Carey KB. Descriptive and injunctive norms in college drinking: a meta-analytic integration. J Stud Alcohol. 2003;64:331–341.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Baker CW, Little TD, Brownell KD. Predicting adolescent eating and activity behaviors: the role of social norms and personal agency. Health Psychol. 2003;22:189–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Hart T, Peterson JL. Predictors of risky sexual behavior among young African American men who have sex with men. Am J Public Health. 2004;94:1122–1124.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Longshore D, Stein JA, Chin D. Pathways to sexual risk reduction: gender differences and strategies for intervention. AIDS Behav. 2005;30:1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  18. van Empelen P, Schaalma HP, Kok G, Janse MWJ. Predicting condom use with causal and steady sex partners among drug users. Health Educ Res. 2001;16:293–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Friedman SR, Des Jarlais D, Sotheran JL, Garber J, Cohen H, Smith I. AIDS and self-organization among intravenous drug users. Int J Addict. 1987;22:201–219.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Magura S, Grossman JI, Lipton DS, et al. Determinants of needle sharing among intravenous drug users. Am J Public Health. 1989;79:459–462.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ajzen I, Fishbein M. Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behavior. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall; 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Fisher JD, Misovich SJ, Kimble DL, Weinstein B. Dynamics of HIV Risk behavior in HIV-infected injection drug users. AIDS Behav. 1999;3:41–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Jamner MS, Corby NH, Wolitski RJ. Bleaching injection equipment: Influencing factors among IDUs who share. Subst Use Misuse. 1996;31:1973–1993.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Hyman HH, Singer E. Readings in Reference Group Theory and Research. New York: Free Press; 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Bailey SL, Ouellet LJ, Mackesy-Amiti ME, et al. Perceived risk, peer influences, and injection partner type predict receptive syringe sharing among young adult injection drug users in five U.S. cities. Drug Alcohol Depend. In press.

  26. Thiede H, Hagan H, Campbell JV, et al. Prevalence and correlates of indirect sharing practices among young adult injection drug users in five U.S. cities. Drug Alcohol Depend. In press.

  27. Zapka JG, Stoddard AM, McCusker J. Social network, support, and influence: relationships with drug use and protective AIDS behavior. AIDS Educ Prev. 1993;5:352–356.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hawkins WE, Latkin C, Mandell W, Oziemkowska M. Do actions speak louder than words? perceived peer influences on needle sharing and cleaning in a sample of injection drug users. AIDS Educ Prev. 1999;11:122–131.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Latkin CA, Mandell W, Oziemkowska M, Celentano D, Vlahov D, Ensminger M, et al. Using social network analysis to study patterns of drug use among urban drug users at high risk for HIV/AIDS. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1995;38:1–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Latkin CA, Mandell W, Vlahov D, Oziemkowska M, Celentano D. People and places: behavioral settings and personal network characteristics as correlates of needle sharing. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Human Retrovirol. 1996;13:273–280.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Evans JL, Hahn JA, Page-Shafer K, Lum PJ, Stein ES, Davidson PJ, et al. Gender differences in sexual and injection risk behavior among active young injection drug users in San Francisco (the UFO Study). J Urban Health. 2003;80:137–146.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Ksobiech K. Beyond needle sharing: meta-analyses of social context risk behaviors of injection drug users attending needle exchange programs. Subst Use Misuse. 2006;41:1379–1394.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Buunk BP, Bakker AB, Siero FW, van den Eijnden RJJM, Yzer MC. Predictors of AIDS preventive behavioral intentions among adult heterosexuals at risk for HIV infection: extending current models and measures. AIDS Educ Prev. 1998;10:149–172.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Mizuno Y, Kennedy M, Seals B, Myllyluoma J. Predictors of teens’ attitudes toward condoms: gender differences in the effects of norms. J Appl Soc Psychol. 2000;30:1381–1395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Mascalino GE, Celentano DD, Latkin CA, Strathdee SA, Vlahov D. Risk behaviors by audio computer-assisted self-interviews among HIV-seropositive and HIV-negative injection drug users. AIDS Educ Prev. 2002;14:367–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institute of Health. Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA) Questionnaire. Rockville: Community Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration; 1991.

  37. Misovich SJ, Fisher JD, Fisher WA. Close relationships and elevated HIV risk behavior: Evidence and possible underlying psychological processes. Review of General Psychology. 1997;1:72–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Perkins HW, Meilman PW, Leichliter JS, Cashin JR, Presley CA. Misperceptions of the norms for the frequency of alcohol and other drug use on college campuses. J Am Coll Health. 1999;47:253–258.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Perkins HW, Haines MP, Rice R. Misperceiving the college drinking norm and related problems: a nationwide study of exposure to prevention information, perceived norms and student alcohol misuse. J Stud Alcohol. 2005;66:470–478.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Lewis MA, Neighbors C. Social norms approaches using descriptive drinking norms education: a review of the research on personalized normative feedback. J Am Coll Health. 2006;54:213–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Choi SY, Cheung YW, Chen K. Gender and HIV risk behavior among intravenous drug users in Sichuan Province, China. Soc Sci Med. 2006;62:1672–1684.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Latkin CA, Vlahov D, Anthony JC. Socially desirable responding and self-reported HIV infection risk behaviors among intravenous drug users. Addiction. 1993;88:517–526.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Latkin CA, Hua W, Davey MA. Factors associated with peer HIV prevention outreach in drug-using communities. AIDS Educ Prev. 2004;16:499–508.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

This work was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (grant no. 1RO1 DA016555) and NRSA predoctoral fellowship (grant no. 1F31 DA017423-01A2).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

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

    Melissa A. Davey-Rothwell & Carl A. Latkin

  2. Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, 2213, McElderry Street–2nd Floor, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA

    Melissa A. Davey-Rothwell

Authors
  1. Melissa A. Davey-Rothwell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carl A. Latkin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Melissa A. Davey-Rothwell.

Additional information

Davey-Rothwell and Latkin are with the Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Appendix

Appendix

Injunctive Norms Survey Items

  1. 1.

    If we were pressed for time, my drug buddies would not care if we shared the same needle.

  2. 2.

    If we didn’t have enough tools, my drug buddies would not care if we shared the same needle.

  3. 3.

    My drug buddies would give me a hard time if I cleaned my needle with bleach before getting high.

  4. 4.

    My drug buddies would not say anything to me if they saw me use a dirty needle.

  5. 5.

    My drug buddies would get upset if I refused to lend them a needle after I used it.

  6. 6.

    My drug buddies would get upset if I insisted on cleaning my needle before I lent it to them.

  7. 7.

    My drug buddies would give me a hard time if I wanted to use a separate needle just to split drugs wet.

  8. 8.

    My drug buddies would give me a hard time if I wanted to split drugs dry with them.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Davey-Rothwell, M.A., Latkin, C.A. Gender Differences in Social Network Influence among Injection Drug Users: Perceived Norms and Needle Sharing. J Urban Health 84, 691–703 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-007-9215-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-007-9215-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation