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The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

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for example, 3.7 per 1,000 in a sample <strong>of</strong> 13- to 19-year-olds receiving<br />

ambulatory health services in a Washington, D.C., hospital (D’Angelo et<br />

al. 1991), <strong>and</strong> 53 per 1,000 in a high-risk group <strong>of</strong> 15- to 20-year-olds<br />

who were clients at a facility for runaway <strong>and</strong> homeless youth in New<br />

York City (Stric<strong>of</strong> et al. 1991). Gender, racial, ethnic, <strong>and</strong> geographic<br />

comparisons in infection rates have been provided in numerous reports<br />

(e.g., Bowler et al. 1992).<br />

Boyer <strong>and</strong> Ellen (this volume) review <strong>and</strong> discuss adolescent risk-taking<br />

behaviors <strong>and</strong> adolescent developmental processes as they may relate to<br />

<strong>HIV</strong> infection risk. <strong>The</strong>y consider specific behavioral risk factors<br />

(e.g., age at onset <strong>of</strong> sexual activity <strong>and</strong> use <strong>of</strong> alcohol <strong>and</strong> other drugs)<br />

<strong>and</strong> possible antecedents <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> these behaviors (e.g., personality,<br />

school, <strong>and</strong> family factors). Rotheram-Borus <strong>and</strong> colleagues (this<br />

volume), following a discussion <strong>of</strong> developmental changes <strong>and</strong><br />

challenges in adolescence, focus on high-risk adolescents. By examining<br />

case studies developed during ethnographic research, these authors<br />

provide indepth analyses <strong>of</strong> the context <strong>of</strong> <strong>HIV</strong> risk behaviors, routes into<br />

a specific drug-using subculture, <strong>and</strong> life patterns while using illicit drugs<br />

(i.e., methamphetamine). Rotheram-Borus <strong>and</strong> colleagues then make<br />

suggestions for intervention strategies to help adolescents cease or<br />

modulate drug-related activities, reduce <strong>HIV</strong> risk behaviors, <strong>and</strong> continue<br />

the identity search that is interrupted by contact with the<br />

methamphetamine subculture.<br />

REFERENCES<br />

Bowler, S.; Sheon, A.R.; D’Angelo, L.J.; <strong>and</strong> Vermund, S.H. <strong>HIV</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />

AIDS among adolescents in the United States: Increasing risk in the<br />

1990’s. J Adolesc 15:345-371, 1992.<br />

Centers for Disease Control <strong>and</strong> Prevention. <strong>HIV</strong>/AIDS Surveillance.<br />

Second Quarter Edition. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control <strong>and</strong><br />

Prevention, 1993.<br />

D’Angelo, L.J.; Getson, P.R.; Luban, N.L.C.; <strong>and</strong> Gayle, H.D. Human<br />

immunodeficiency virus infection in urban adolescents: Can we<br />

predict who is at risk? Pediatrics 88:982-986, 1991.<br />

DiClemente, R.J., ed. Adolescents <strong>and</strong> AIDS: A generation in jeopardy.<br />

Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1992.<br />

Stric<strong>of</strong>, R.L.; Kennedy, J.T.; Nattell, T.C.; Weisfuse, I.B.; <strong>and</strong> Novick,<br />

L.F. <strong>HIV</strong> seroprevalence in a facility for runaway <strong>and</strong> homeless<br />

adolescents. Supplement. Am J Public Health 81:50-53, 1991.<br />

133

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