This is a competitive renewal of an R15 AREA study that examined emerging trends in methamphetamine (MA) use among a sample of 65 male and 35 female MA users in the suburbs. We found that the suburban setting increases risk factors for female drug users, including risk behaviors associated with transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In expanding upon our original study, we will continue to explore emerging trends in MA use in the suburbs, focusing exclusively on female MA users, an understudied and neglected population of drug users. Additionally, women living in the suburbs face barriers to drug treatment and healthcare due to restricted access to health services, lack of drug-related risk awareness, and the gendered stigmatization of suburban MA use that intensifies the hidden status of this population. The broad goal of this renewal study is to gain a more in-depth understanding of gendered drug-use trajectories and risk behavior patterns.
Our specific aims i n this competitive renewal study are (1) to expand our exploration into the turning points in drug use trajectories among suburban women who use MA;(2) to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the risks and protective factors that impact the transmission of HIV, HCV and STIs specific to female MA users living in the suburbs;and (3) to assess HIV risk awareness, risk behaviors, healthcare utilization and accessibility to healthcare services over time for a sub-sample of suburban female MA users. The sample in this renewal study will include 30 suburban female MA users (15 former and 15 current users). As a novel line of investigation, we will use a longitudinal design to collect data at three points: 30 new in-depth interviews, followed 3-6 months later by 30 follow-up interviews, and followed another 3-6 months later by focus groups with the same sample population. Participants are provided risk-reduction and healthcare literature at each interview. Follow-up interviews focus on changes in specific drug use patterns, social context of drug use, HIV- risk behaviors, healthcare utilization, and access to health services and treatment, which are new areas of this renewal study. Data analysis will be informed by life course and symbolic interaction theories. First, the findings will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the gender differences found in our original study on MA use in suburban Atlanta. Second, the longitudinal design will identify HIV-risk behaviors among suburban female MA users and changes in risk behaviors over time. Third, knowledge regarding the utilization of health services and access to needed healthcare among this study population will better inform future healthcare initiatives. Additionally, findings will yield recommendations for gender-specific and socially appropriate interventions at the individual and community levels for suburban female MA users.

Public Health Relevance

Epidemiological data show a steady increase in methamphetamine (MA) use and HIV-risk behaviors associated with MA use, and suburban women who use MA are an understudied and neglected population of drug users. This renewal study is an exploration of HIV-risk awareness, HIV-risk behaviors, healthcare utilization, and access to health services and treatment for suburban female MA users. The findings will yield recommendations for gender-specific and socially appropriate interventions at the individual and community levels.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
2R15DA021164-02
Application #
7756542
Study Section
Community Influences on Health Behavior (CIHB)
Program Officer
Lambert, Elizabeth
Project Start
2006-06-01
Project End
2012-12-31
Budget Start
2010-01-15
Budget End
2012-12-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$201,000
Indirect Cost
Name
Kennesaw State University
Department
Social Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
627758923
City
Kennesaw
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30144
Lee, Nayeong; Boeri, Miriam (2017) Managing Stigma: Women Drug Users and Recovery Services. Fusio 1:65-94
Boeri, Miriam; Gardner, Megan; Gerken, Erin et al. (2016) ""I Don't Know What Fun Is"": Examining the Intersection of Social Capital, Social Networks, and Social Recovery. Drugs Alcohol Today 16:95-105
Lamonica, Aukje; Boeri, Miriam (2015) Risk Behaviors Among Suburban Women who Use Methamphetamine: Social Harms and Social Solutions. J Appl Soc Sci (Boulder) 9:98-114
Bairan, Annette; Boeri, Miriam; Morian, Janice (2014) Methamphetamine use among suburban women: implications for nurse practitioners. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract 26:620-8
Woodall, Denise; Boeri, Miriam (2014) ""When You Got Friends in Low Places, You Stay Low:"" Social Networks and Access to Resources for Female Methamphetamine Users in Low-Income Suburban Communities. J Drug Issues 44:321-339
Boeri, Miriam; Gibson, David; Boshears, Paul (2014) Conceptualizing Social Recovery: Recovery Routes of Methamphetamine Users. J Qual Crim Justice Criminol 2:5-38
Boeri, Miriam W; Tyndall, Benjamin D (2012) A Contextual Comparison of Risk Behaviors Among Older Adult Drug Users and Harm Reduction in Suburban Versus Inner-City Social Environments. J Appl Soc Sci 6:72-91
Lamonica, Aukje K; Boeri, Miriam (2012) An Exploration of the Relationship between the Use of Methamphetamine and Prescription Drugs. J Ethnogr Qual Res 6:160
Boeri, Miriam W; Tyndall, Benjamin D; Woodall, Denise R (2011) Suburban Poverty: Barriers to Services and Injury Prevention among Marginalized Women who Use Methamphetamine. West J Emerg Med 12:284-92
Boshears, Paul; Boeri, Miriam; Harbry, Liam (2011) Addiction and sociality: Perspectives from methamphetamine users in suburban USA. Addict Res Theory 19:289-301

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