Sexual behaviors and HIV infection in intravenous drug users in New York City

Heterosexual transmission of HIV infection is closely linked with intravenous drug use. This study investigated the sexual behaviors of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in New York City. In 1986, 284 IVDUs were recruited from newly enrolled patients in methadone treatment clinics. A questionnaire asking for information on sexual behaviors was administered and sera were collected and tested by ELISA and Western Blot techniques. Associations between behavioral data and HIV serology were evaluated using univariate methods of analysis. HIV infection was significantly associated with age (p = 0.01). Subjects not claiming prostitution were also significantly more likely to be infected (p = 0.01). Subjects reporting condom use and oral sex had lower infectivity rates. Higher infection rates were observed in subjects reporting anal sex and homosexual or bisexual sexual behavior. The findings of this study suggest that greater efforts to isolate those sexual behaviors that are predictors or correlates of heterosexual transmission of HIV infection is much needed in order to design behavioral interventions that will effectively curtail the spread of this virus.