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Intertwined Epidemics Among Puerto Rican Drug Users: Substance Abuse, Violence, and AIDS (SAVA)
Research Method: Basic Research
Principal Investigators: Merrill Singer, Ph.D., HHC (PI),
Margaret R. Weeks, Ph.D. (Co-PI)
Grant: National Institute on Drug Abuse (R01 DA10438); Lead grantee - Hispanic Health Council
Partners: Hispanic Health Council, Institute for Community Research
Dates of Study:

Abstract
Research suggests a significant relationship between violence and drug/alcohol use, with differences based upon age, ethnicity and gender. There is, however, a lack of understanding in how violence and drug/alcohol abuse influence HIV risk. This three-year study used qualitative and quantitative research to explore the relationship between these three epidemics among Puerto Rican communities in Hartford, CT. at the individual, social network and neighborhood levels, using surveys, formal/informal interviews and ethnographic observation. The project was a collaboration between the Institute for Community Research and the Hispanic Health Council. It resulted in a second study, "Effects of Partner Violence Victimization in Drug Using Women (SAVA II)", addressing the intersection of substance abuse, violence and AIDS risk among women.

Project Goals and Objectives


	Examine the specific relationship between violence, drug/alcohol use, and AIDS risk among urban African American, Latino and white drug users.
	Identify the individual, network and neighborhood factors that influence the relationship between violence, drug/alcohol use and AIDS risk.
	Examine changes in these dynamics over time.

Project Contact:
, Ph.D., Co-Principal Investigator
Associate Director, ICR

Merrill Singer, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
Hispanic Health Council

Project Details
The study was completed in 2000. Data collection was done at the three (individual, network and neighborhood) levels. At the individual levels, staff recruited 224 participants and conducted interviews every 4-months (for 12 months) with them regarding drug use, violence and other risk-related behavior. Recruitment of participants was done through street outreach. As these individuals were interviewed, they identified other members of their network to participate in the study. In this way, staff collected information regarding the characteristics of the social networks of participants. Finally, staff conducted over 37 intensive life history interviews and ethnographic observation with 18 participants from four targeted neighborhoods, which were compared in terms of how their social contexts (unemployment, crime) affected rates of violence, substance abuse and HIV risk. Results from the study showed that heroin was the most commonly used drug (64% of participants). Violence in the streets is the most common type witnessed by participants; other common types of violence are domestic violence, gang violence, robbery/muggings and beatings/stabbings. Thirty-nine percent of the participants reported being a victim of violence, and 30% reported themselves as perpetrators. Of the incidents of violence reported, 71% involved the use of drugs or alcohol, and 44% of participants indicated that involvement in violence contributed to increases in their rates of drug consumption.

While participants are aware of HIV risk related to injection drug use, 43% of sexually active participants reported never having used latex protection, demonstrating a potential area of risk, particularly with respect to the intersection of sexual violence and drugs. The study provided an informative baseline of information regarding the relationship between drug/alcohol use, violence and HIV risk among Puerto Rican communities in Hartford. The subsequent grant, SAVA II, expanded the target community to include African American and White street drug using women, placing special emphasis on partner violence.

Link to Research Methods page

Link to Basic Research Methods page

Links to other ICR projects:
Effects of Partner Violence Victimization in Drug Using Women (SAVA II)

Links to other related sites (external links)