RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among people who inject drugs in Iran: the 2010 National Surveillance Survey
JF Sexually Transmitted Infections
JO Sex Transm Infect
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP iii29
OP iii32
DO 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051204
VO 89
IS Suppl 3
A1 Razieh Khajehkazemi
A1 Mehdi Osooli
A1 Leily Sajadi
A1 Mohammad Karamouzian
A1 Abbas Sedaghat
A1 Noushin Fahimfar
A1 Afshin Safaie
A1 Ehsan Mostafavi
A1 Ali-Akbar Haghdoost
YR 2013
UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/89/Suppl_3/iii29.abstract
AB Objectives To assess the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran. Methods We conducted a national cross-sectional bio-behavioural surveillance survey between March and July 2010, interviewing male PWID from a geographically dispersed sample through a facility-based sampling method. Results We recruited 2480, and tested 2290 PWID. The overall prevalence of HIV was 15.2% (95% CI 9.7% to 23.1%). Among those who had injected drugs over the last month, 36.9% had used a non-sterile needle, and 12.6% had practiced shared injection. Over the past 12 months preceding the interview, 30.4% had sold sex for money, drugs, goods or a favour. In the multivariate analysis, the prevalence of HIV had a positive association with age, while having above high school education, and permanent job were protective. Conclusions Unsafe injection, and sexual risk behaviours are still frequent and the prevalence of HIV among PWID remains high. Intensified efforts are needed to prevent the further spread of HIV among Iranian PWID and their sexual partners.