Risk factors for shooting gallery use among drug injectors in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Needle sharing is one of the principal risk behaviors leading to HIV transmission among injection drug users (IDUs). Shooting galleries, a social context where IDUs rent, share, and borrow needles, are locations usually found near drug markets. This study, which interviewed 1,700 IDUs from May 1989 to June 1990, assesses sociodemographic characteristics and HIV risk behaviors among shooting gallery users in Puerto Rico. Multivariate analyses showed that shooting gallery use is associated with speedball (a concoction of heroin and cocaine) injection, income from illegal activities and previous drug treatment. Shooting gallery users were more likely to rent, share, and borrow needles, and less likely to always use bleach and water to clean needles. Strategies to reduce shooting gallery use among drug injectors are discussed.