Physicians' Assessment of Drug Use and Other HIV Risk Behavior: Reports by Female Drug Users

SUMMARY With epidemiological trends indicating that Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the third leading cause of death among women ages 25 to 44 in the United States, it is becoming increasingly important to deal with the issue of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention for women. Recommendations for primary and secondary prevention strategies tailored to the needs of women have been formulated. Such calls have included the recommendation that prevention efforts be intensified in medical settings regularly frequented by women. One setting identified is that of gynecological and obstetric services where HIV risk assessment, testing, and counseling would be an excellent means of reaching a maximum number of women of child-bearing age. Despite calls by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for OB/ GYN service providers to engage in HIV prevention, research has shown that physicians remain reluctant to address the issue with patients. This study explored the likelihood of p...