Accumulating evidence links partner violence and HIV infection. Among the groups disproportionately affected by these trends are methadone patients. Estimated lifetime rates of partner violence reported by women in drug treatment programs range from 60% to 75%. Seroprevalance rates of HIV among methadone patients in East Coast urban areas range from 28% to 43%. Despite the high prevalence of partner violence and HIV among methadone patients and mounting evidence suggesting that partner violence and HIV-risk behaviors may be interrelated phenomena in this population, studies have yet to untangle the multi-dimensional relationship between these two critical public health problems. Moreover, as of yet, no empirical research has examined these relationships from the male perpetrator's perspective. Longitudinal data on the bi-directional relationships between the perpetration of partner violence and HIV-risk behaviors among men on methadone may address some of the major gaps in research. The proposed study will: 1) explore the relationship dynamics and sequences of events that culminate in the co- occurrence of inflicting partner violence and engaging in HIV-risk behaviors among men who are enrolled in methadone maintenance treatment programs (MMTPs) using in-depth qualitative methods; and 2) examine longitudinally the relationships between the perpetration of partner violence and HIV-risk behaviors among men in MMTPs, controlling for background variables and risk factors (e.g., drug use, communications, prevalence of violence in perpetrator's social network). In the beginning of the first year, men attending MMTPs who report perpetrating partner violence in the past year will participate in focus groups (n=64) and in-depth interviews (n=50) for the longitudinal study that will begin in the second year, 600 men will be interviewed at baseline and at six and twelve month follow-ups. At the completion of the longitudinal study, two focus groups will be conducted with 16 men who report perpetrating partner violence in the part year, to elicit their interpretation of the quantitative research findings. Subjects will be recruited from Beth Israel Medical Center methadone clinics in Harlem. This study will be led by investigators from the Social Intervention Group (SIG) at Columbia University School of Social Work and Beth Israel Medical Center. Data from the proposed study will help inform assessment, treatment and referral protocols to reduce partner violence and HIV-risk behaviors among men and women in MMTPs.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA012335-04
Application #
6497818
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG5-AARR-7 (01))
Program Officer
Conway, Kevin P
Project Start
1999-02-20
Project End
2004-01-31
Budget Start
2002-02-01
Budget End
2004-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$581,815
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Social Work
DUNS #
064931884
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10027
Epperson, Matthew W; Khan, Maria R; El-Bassel, Nabila et al. (2011) A longitudinal study of incarceration and HIV risk among methadone maintained men and their primary female partners. AIDS Behav 15:347-55
Wu, Elwin; El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa et al. (2011) Traditional male ideology and service system involvement among drug-involved men who perpetrate intimate partner violence: a longitudinal study. J Interpers Violence 26:1646-63
Wu, Elwin; El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa et al. (2010) Effects of receiving additional off-site services on abstinence from illicit drug use among men on methadone: a longitudinal study. Eval Program Plann 33:403-9
Wu, Elwin; El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa et al. (2010) Criminal Justice Involvement and Service Need among Men on Methadone who Have Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence. J Crim Justice 38:835-840
Epperson, Matthew W; El-Bassel, Nabila; Chang, Mingway et al. (2010) Examining the temporal relationship between criminal justice involvement and sexual risk behaviors among drug-involved men. J Urban Health 87:324-336
Epperson, Matthew; El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa et al. (2008) Increased HIV risk associated with criminal justice involvement among men on methadone. AIDS Behav 12:51-7
El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa; Wu, Elwin et al. (2007) Perpetration of intimate partner violence among men in methadone treatment programs in New York City. Am J Public Health 97:1230-2
Gilbert, Louisa; El-Bassel, Nabila; Wu, Elwin et al. (2007) Intimate partner violence and HIV risks: a longitudinal study of men on methadone. J Urban Health 84:667-80
El-Bassel, Nabila; Gilbert, Louisa; Wu, Elwin et al. (2006) A social network profile and HIV risk among men on methadone: do social networks matter? J Urban Health 83:602-13
Fontdevila, Jorge (2006) Phenomenologies of the akratic self: masculinity, regrets, and HIV among men on methadone. J Urban Health 83:586-601

Showing the most recent 10 out of 13 publications