Reduced probability of HIV infection among crack cocaine--using injection drug users.

Abstract

This study examined in greater detail the authors' previously reported finding that crack use among injection drug users is associated with lower levels of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Self-reported data and blood tests for HIV antibodies from 4840 out-of-treatment injection drug users were used to examine relationships among crack use, HIV risk behavior, and HIV infection. Crack use was significantly associated with higher levels of many sexual risk and needle use behaviors and was consistently associated, independently of all behavioral variables examined, with lower rates of HIV infection. Crack use among injection drug users appears to be associated with lower risk for HIV infection independently of other behavioral variables.