Metrics details. A number of studies suggest females may be more likely to engage in injection and sex risk behavior than males. Most data on gender differences come from industrialized countries, so data are needed in developing countries to determine how well gender differences generalize to these understudied regions.
Between and , male and female current injection drug users IDUs were surveyed in ten sites in developing countries around the world Nairobi, Beijing, Hanoi, Kharkiv, Minsk, St.
The survey included a variety of questions about demographics, injecting practices and sexual behavior. Females were more likely to engage in risk behaviors in the context of a sexual relationship with a primary partner while males were more likely to engage in risk behaviors in the context of close friendships and casual sexual relationships.
After controlling for injection frequency, and years injecting, these gender differences were fairly consistent across sites. Gender differences in risk depend on the relational contexts in which risk behaviors occur. The fact that female and male risk behavior often occurs in different relational contexts suggests that different kinds of prevention interventions which are sensitive to these contexts may be necessary. Peer Review reports. Female injection drug users IDUs frequently have been found to engage in more risk behavior than males.
For example, in a general sample of drug users in Denver, Colorado, Booth [ 1 ] found that needle sharing was more common among females than males.
