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HIV Risk Behavior in Opioid Dependent Adults Seeking Detoxification Treatment: An Exploratory Comparison of Heroin and Oxycodone Users
Author(s) -
Meade Christina S.,
McDonald Leah J.,
Weiss Roger D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490902925821
Subject(s) - oxycodone , heroin , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , opioid , detoxification (alternative medicine) , drug user , psychiatry , drug , immunology , alternative medicine , receptor , pathology
Heroin users are at high risk for HIV infection, but little is known about HIV risk in oxycodone users. This study examined HIV risk behaviors in heroin (n = 27) and oxycodone (n = 23) users seeking inpatient detoxification at a private psychiatric hospital. Drug use histories were similar, except oxycodone users used marijuana more frequently. Injection drug risk occurred exclusively among heroin users. The rates of sexual activity (66%), unprotected intercourse (69%), sex while intoxicated (74%), and sex with strangers (24%) were similar, but more oxycodone users had multiple partners (39% vs. 6%, p < .05). HIV prevention efforts should target both heroin and oxycodone users.