Risk factors and HIV seropositivity among injecting drug users in Bangkok

AIDS. 1991 Dec;5(12):1509-13. doi: 10.1097/00002030-199112000-00014.

Abstract

Bangkok experienced an extremely rapid spread of HIV infection among drug injectors in 1987 and 1988. This study examines risk factors for HIV infection and deliberate risk-reduction efforts by drug injectors. Two subsamples of injecting drug users were recruited in November 1989, a group in drug-use treatment (n = 342) and a group new to the treatment system (n = 259). Subjects were interviewed about AIDS risk behavior, and a blood sample was collected for HIV testing. Seroprevalence was 39 and 27% in the in-treatment sample and the new-to-treatment sample, respectively. The in-treatment sample seroprevalence rate is similar to rates observed 6 and 12 months earlier. Three factors were independently associated with HIV infection: subsample, having been in prison, and sharing injection equipment with two or more individuals in the previous 6 months. Deliberate risk reduction was reported by 92% of individuals, with 59% reporting that they had stopped sharing injection equipment. It appears that large-scale risk reduction has greatly slowed HIV transmission among drug injectors in Bangkok.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology*
  • HIV Seroprevalence
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Needle Sharing
  • Prisoners
  • Risk Factors
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications*
  • Thailand / epidemiology