Drug users' willingness to encourage social, sexual, and drug network members to receive an HIV vaccine: A social network analysis

A. M. Young, R. J. Diclemente, D. S. Halgin, C. E. Sterk, J. R. Havens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examined feasibility of peer-based promotion of HIV vaccination and dyadic correlates to vaccine encouragement in risk- and non-risk networks of drug users (n = 433) in the US. Data were collected on HIV vaccine attitudes, risk compensation intentions, likelihood of encouraging vaccination, and recent (past 6 months) risk (i.e. involving sex and/or injecting drugs) and non-risk (i.e. involving co-usage of noninjected drugs and/or social support) relationships. Willingness to encourage HIV vaccination was reported in 521 and 555 risk- and non-risk relationships, respectively. However, 37 % expressed hesitancy, typically due to fear of side effects or social concerns. Encouragement was often motivated by perceived HIV risk, though 9 % were motivated by risk compensation intentions. In non-risk partnerships, encouragement was associated with drug co-usage, and in risk relationships, with perceived vaccine acceptability and encouragement by the partner. Network-based HIV vaccine promotion may be a successful strategy, but risk compensation intentions should be explored.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1753-1763
Number of pages11
JournalAIDS and Behavior
Volume18
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2014

Keywords

  • HIV vaccines
  • Injection drug use
  • Psychosocial
  • Rural health
  • Social networks

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Infectious Diseases

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