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

Authors

Curtis J. VanderWaal, Andrews UniversityFollow
Fred L. Washington, Andrews University
René D. Drumm, Andrews UniversityFollow
Yvonne M. Terry, Andrews UniversityFollow
Duane C. McBride, Andrews UniversityFollow
Roxie D. Finley-Gordon, Andrews University

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

Recommended Citation

VanderWaal, Curtis J.; Washington, Fred L.; Drumm, René D.; Terry, Yvonne M.; McBride, Duane C.; and Finley-Gordon, Roxie D., "African-American Injection Drug Users: Tensions and Barriers in HIV/AIDS Prevention" (2001). Faculty Publications. 2237.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pubs/2237