Does the health belief model predict risky sexual practices in injection drug users?

The current research assessed Health Belief Model (HEM) constructs, sexual behaviour, and drug use practices in 123 heterosexual IDUs (62 men and 61 women) who were seronegative for HIV. Results indicated that HBM variables significantly explained 25% of the variance in condom usage in IDU men. Higher reports of condom usage were associated with negative attitudes related to condom discomfort, inconvenience, and acceptance; positive attitudes related to perceptions of condoms as adding excitement to sex; positive attitudes regarding condom efficacy and lower perceived susceptibility for AIDS. Alcohol, marijuana, and methadone usage explained an additional 21% of the variance in condom usage with alcohol use contributing positively to condom use while the other substances had negative contributions. HBM constructs did not significantly explain the variance in other risk behaviours in this group, however, control variables contributed to significant proportions of the variance in risky practices. HBM components did not significantly explain any of the variance in the sexual behaviours of IDU women, but demographic variables and substance use behaviours contributed to the variance in a number of sexual practices in this group. Based upon these findings, implications for clinical intervention are discussed.