Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
Injection risk behaviors among rural drug users: implications for HIV prevention
Jennifer R Havens1, Carrie B Oser, Carl G Leukefeld
1Department of Behavioral Science, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA. jennifer.havens@uky.edu
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to examine injection drug use (IDU) among a cohort of felony probationers from rural Appalachian Kentucky.
Methods:
An interviewer-administered questionnaire given to 800 rural felony probationers ascertained data regarding demographics, drug use, criminal behavior, psychological distress, and HIV-risk behaviors.
Results:
The sample was primarily white (95.1%) and male (66.5%) and the median age was 32.3 years (interquartile range: 25.2, 40.5). There were no cases of HIV in the sample. Of the 800 rural probationers, 179 (22.4%) reported lifetime IDU. Receptive syringe sharing (RSS) and distributive syringe sharing (DSS) were reported by 34.5% and 97.1% of the IDUs, respectively. Independent correlates of risky injection behaviors included cocaine injection (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 14.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 8.0, 27.7) and prescription opioid injection (AOR: 14.7, 95% CI: 7.7, 28.1).
Discussion:
Although HIV was not prevalent, data suggest that the rural felony probationers in this sample were engaging in risky injection practices that could facilitate transmission of HIV. This is especially problematic since those involved in the criminal justice system may be more likely to be exposed to HIV. Therefore, prevention aimed at reducing HIV-risk behaviors among rural, criminally involved individuals is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Amebiasis
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Repetitive IV Injections
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Retrovirus Life Cycles
