HIV Risk Factors among Pregnant and Non-Pregnant High-Risk Women in New York City

A comparison of high-risk pregnant ( n = 55) and non-pregnant ( n = 598) women from Harlem, New York City on HIV-related drug and sexual risk behaviors was undertaken to identify appropriate prevention and intervention policy recommendations. Clients were recruited for an AIDS risk reduction research demonstration project and were either intravenous drug users (IVDUs) or sexual partners of IVDUs. There was a higher percentage of IVDUs among the non-pregnant women, and no significant differences were found between pregnant and non-pregnant IVDUs in terms of needle risk behaviors. The two groups were also similar in non-injected drug use behaviors. Pregnant women were significantly less likely to use condoms. Recommendations focused on the need for increased HIV risk reduction among high-risk women in general, and increased education efforts among pregnant high-risk women regarding condom use as protection from HIV and the potential consequences of maternal substance use for their children.