African-American Injection Drug Users: Tensions and Barriers in HIV/AIDS Prevention

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2001

Keywords

African-American, AIDS prevention, Harm reduction, HIV/AIDS, Injection drug use

Abstract

This exploratory study utilized a focus group methodology to explore tensions and barriers in HIV/AIDS prevention among African-American injection drug users. Participants discussed HIV infection risks, national/community HIV prevention effectiveness, prevention barriers, ideas on barrier removal, and the tensions which exist between users and the larger African-American community. Recognizing the inevitability of continued drug use for many injectors, participants requested basic harm-reduction supplies including condoms, needle exchange programs, additional drug user treatment services, and the use of culturally- and gender-matched peer-led prevention and treatment outreach. Preliminary recommendations are made for consideration in HIV/AIDS prevention among African-American IDUs.

Journal Title

Substance Use and Misuse

Volume

36

Issue

6-7

First Page

735

Last Page

753

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1081/JA-100104088

First Department

Social Work

Second Department

Behavioral Sciences

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