Gender Differences in High Risk Behaviors Mitchell, Mary M. and Latimer, William W. (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention, 21(4), By: Lauren Anderson, Stephanie Riley, and Mario Souza Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Background Information Males are more likely to be risk takers because of the greater reproductive variance among them. – Some males will not reproduce. The stakes are low for males in reproductive situations and high for females, so we would expect females to be more choosey. Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Video Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Introduction Injection drug use and casual sexual contact are two major ways of contracting HIV. Researchers studied perceived risk of contracting HIV and risky behaviors, namely casual sexual contact, commercial sex, and injection drug use, comparing results from males and females, Researchers predicted women would perceive larger HIV risk for all three behaviors. Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Participants 217 regular injection drug users (IDUs). 59.4% were male and 40.6% were female. African American and Caucasian participants. Taken from another study being conducted in Baltimore. Gave informed consent. $45 compensation. Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Procedure HIV-Risk Behavior Interview was conducted by the researchers. Blood and urine samples tested for HIV, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and various drugs. Analyzed the data using frequencies, chi-square test, and two-step hierarchical logistic regression. Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Results Females that engaged in casual sex had more than twice the odds of perceiving that they were at greater risk to contract HIV or AIDS. Females who engaged in commercial sex had more than three times the odds of perceiving that they were at greater risk for HIV. Male IDUs reported not using condoms during casual and commercial sex. Risks of risky injection behaviors were perceived more by males than by females. Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Conclusion Male IDUs were significantly more likely to have casual sex, but did not perceive a higher risk for HIV contraction. Less condom use in males suggests that male IDUs who take part in casual sex do not perceive it to be a risky behavior. Female IDUs had a much higher perceived risk of disease when it came to casual and commercial sex. Male IDUs had a higher perception of risk when it came to sharing drugs or drug equipment than female IDUs. Both males and females who knew someone who is HIV-positive were significantly more likely to perceive that they were at risk. Further research could lead to effective HIV prevention programs. Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.

Key Points Interesting Points We found it interesting that male IDUs had a much higher perceived risk of sharing drugs and drug paraphernalia since women overall had a higher risk perception. We found it interesting that even in such modern times people still do not comprehend the importance of condoms or the dangers of sharing needles. We found it interesting that even in this social situation that would not have been found in our original EEA, evolutionary markers of personality can be found among males and females. Males are much less worried about using a condom, while females are much more aware of the dangers in the situation. Critiques This study could be improved by including interviews to understand the complexities behind these risk taking attitudes. What made these people choose these behaviors? A more effective way to measure drug use could be established. Relying on drug users confessing on how much they take could produce bad data. More races should have been included other than white and African American because other races might have different behaviors or attitudes towards the topic. Mitchell and Latimer (2009). Gender differences in high risk sexual behaviors and injection practices associated with perceived HIV risk among injection drug users. AIDS Education and Prevention.