Parental Substance Abuse and Divorce as Predictors of Injection Drug Use and High Risk Sexual Behaviors Known to Transmit HIV

Abstract

This study examined familial antecedents of high risk sexual and injection drug using behaviors in a population of 100 gay men in one drug treatment program. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors for (1) injection drug use, (2) high risk sexual behaviors and (3) HIV status. Data from this study indicates parental substance abuse and divorce or separation are predictors of both sexual and injection drug using risk behaviors associated with HIV transmission. These results indicate the need to target high risk families and youth to prevent injection drug use, high risk sexual bchaviors and ultirnarely HTV infection.