A Cluster Analysis of HIV Risk among Felony Drug Offenders

HIV risk profiles were investigated using cluster analysis with 247 male felony drug offenders. Two clusters were produced, distinguishable by high frequency of sex behaviors that were largely unprotected, or high frequency drug use. Exploratory analysis examining latent HIV predictors by risk type found older age, troubled feelings over drug problems, memory and concentration difficulties, higher frequency of burglary charges, and physical abuse history were predictive of drug-related HIV risk. Family problems, spending free time with family or friends, troubled feelings over medical problems, driving under the influence of drugs, anxiety, high risk-taking, polysubstance use, and using wages for drugs were predictive of sex-related HIV risk. Findings suggest intervention efforts for felony drug offenders need to address differential risk behaviors.