A Factor Analytic Approach to Modeling Aids Risk Behaviors among Heterosexual Injection Drug Users

To assess the underlying association of sexual and injection risk behaviors, found in earlier research to be related to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a factor analytic approach was used with a sample of 296 heterosexual drug injectors from three cities. The analysis produced seven factors accounting for 69% of the variance. The content of the factors and their inter-correlations revealed them to be highly discrete from one another, an indication of the heterogeneity of individuals engaging in these risk activities. The utility of this approach as a tool to assess risk was demonstrated through the profiling of individual participants in the study. Results suggested the need for individualized strategies with this target population of drug injectors.