摘要：Objectives . We compared injection-related HIV risk behaviors of Puerto Rican current injection drug users (IDUs) living in New York City and in Puerto Rico who also had injected in the other location with those who had not. Methods . We recruited Puerto Rican IDUs in New York City (n = 561) and in Puerto Rico (n = 312). Of the former, 39% were “newcomers,” having previously injected in Puerto Rico; of the latter, 14% were “returnees,” having previously injected in New York. We compared risk behaviors within each sample between those with and without experience injecting in the other location. Results . Newcomers reported higher levels of risk behaviors than other New York IDUs. Newcomer status (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.62) and homelessness (adjusted OR = 2.52) were significant predictors of “shooting gallery” use; newcomer status also predicted paraphernalia sharing (adjusted OR = 1.67). Returnee status was not related to these variables. Conclusions . Intervention services are needed that target mobile populations who are coming from an environment of high-risk behavior to one of low-risk behavior. The relationship between migration and HIV-related risk behaviors has been reported among diverse populations, including Hispanic populations in the Caribbean and Mexico who travel to New York 1– 3 and migrant workers in southern Africa. 4 Studies have found that travel to an AIDS epicenter is related to HIV infection among drug users from low-prevalence communities. 5, 6 High rates of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related risk behaviors have been found among Puerto Rican injection drug users (IDUs). 7– 9 An “air bridge” has been identified between New York and Puerto Rico that represents high reported rates of travel and migration between Puerto Rico and New York, 2 and higher levels of risk behaviors have been reported for Puerto Rican IDUs who reside on the island of Puerto Rico compared with those who reside in New York City. 10– 12 In addition, services that have been found to reduce risk behaviors (e.g., needle exchange programs [NEPs], methadone treatment) are more readily available in New York City. 12, 13 The extensive migration/travel reported between the 2 communities 2 provides an opportunity to compare differences in levels of risk behaviors between IDUs at each location who have experienced injecting in the other location and thus to examine risk behaviors of those who have been socialized in injection behaviors in a community with higher- or lower-risk behaviors than their current community. This information can be helpful in developing and targeting appropriate intervention programs for IDUs who are immigrants. This study was based on data from a dual-site study of Puerto Rican IDUs recruited in New York City and in Puerto Rico. 11 We compared injection-related risk behaviors for IDUs in New York between those who had previously injected in Puerto Rico and those who had not and for IDUs in Puerto Rico between those who had previously injected in New York and those who had not.
