Article Text
Abstract
Background HIV cases in PWID were increased by 8% in 2012. Prevention components such as VCT, skills building, condom and injecting equipment distribution were in place. Previous research suggests that greater HIV prevention knowledge does not necessarily translate into less risky behaviours. We investigated level of knowledge of HIV prevention and sharing paraphernalia in PWID.
Method 500 PWID surveyed in a cross-sectional survey (August-October 2012). RDS sampling was used with 5 former PWID seeds. Socio-behavioural, knowledge and practise, HIV and HCV prevalence were calculated with RDSAT. Composite knowledge indicator was used to measure knowledge of main prevention measures and rejection of misconceptions about HIV transmission. PWID who responded to all questions correctly has been identified as having knowledge (PWID-K).
Results The sample was predominantly: male (67.4%, 95% CI 62.3, 72.7), 30–39 years old (54.7%, 95% CI 49.1, 60.1), single (53.4%, 95% CI 48.0, 59.4), unemployed (67.3%, 95% 62.1, 72.5). Prevention coverage was 64.2% (95% CI 58.3, 69.8). 59.9% PWID (95% CI 54.7, 65.2) correctly answered to knowledge questions. PWID-K injected > 2 < 9 times a day in the last month - 78.7% (95% CI 71.2, 87.1), without knowledge – 67.8% (95% CI 52.8, 84.8). The majority sample reported (85.3%, 95% CI 80.9, 92.1) sharing paraphernalia in the last month. PWID-K shared paraphernalia in 80.3% (95% CI 75.1, 90.2) and without knowledge 93.6% (95% CI 86.8, 99.1). More than half of PWID-K injected in group of 1–5 injectors (59.6%, 95% CI 50.6, 68.3), and 33.2% (95% CI 25.3, 42.2) without knowledge. HIV prevalence in PWID-K was 34.5% (95% CI 27.6, 41.5) and HCV –74.0% (95% CI 67.9, 80.3) with insignificant difference from PWID without knowledge.
Conclusions Inspire of high level of knowledge significant portion of PWID practise riskier behaviour which may explain high HIV/HCV prevalence. Further research is vital to understand the reasons and develop effective intervention to stop transmission.
- Knowledge of prevention
- people who inject drugs
- Russian Federation