HIV and infections of similar transmission patterns in a drug injectors community of Santos, Brazil

Article Abstract:

Intravenous drug addicts appear to have a much higher rate of HIV infection and other sexually and parenterally transmitted diseases than the general population. Researchers surveyed 214 Brazilian intravenous drug addicts and tested them for HIV infection, HTLV infection, syphilis, hepatitis B infection, and hepatitis C infection. The percentage who tested positive for one or more of these infections was much higher than in a control group of 197 blood donors. Sixty-two percent were HIV-positive, 75% tested positive for hepatitis B virus and 75% tested positive for hepatitis C virus. One-third tested positive for syphilis. Those who injected 5 or more times a day for more than 15 days a month and took no precautions were most likely to be HIV-positive. Intravenous addicts had 10 times the risk of hepatitis B than blood donors and 100 times the risk of hepatitis C. More than half said they shared needles and 82% had sex in the past six months.

---

HIV in injecting drug users in Edinburgh: prevalence and correlates

Article Abstract:

The prevalence of HIV infection among injecting drug users in Edinburgh, Scotland, appears to have decreased between 1982 and 1993. A total of 349 injecting drug users (IDUs) were interviewed in Edinburgh between June 1992 and October 1993. Those interviewed also provided saliva samples for HIV testing. Participants were between 16 and 47 years of age. Sixty-eight IDUs (19.7%) tested positive for HIV. In 1988, 64% of IDUs were believed to be HIV positive, though this dropped to 35% by 1992. IDUs who injected at any time between 1980 and 1987 were significantly more likely to be HIV positive than those who did not use injection drugs during this time. Other factors significantly associated with being HIV positive were a history of imprisonment, using injection drugs between 1982 and 1984 and being between 27 and 36 years old.

Edinburgh, Scotland

---

Risk behavior and HIV seroincidence among out-of-treatment injection drug users: a four-year prospective study

Article Abstract:

A network of former drug addicts may be effective in convincing intravenous drug addicts to reduce behaviors that put them at risk of HIV infection. This was demonstrated in Chicago, where between 1988 and 1992 a team of ex-drug addicts provided advice to 641 HIV-negative drug addicts who were not part of a formal treatment program. During that time the incidence of HIV infection dropped from 8.4 to 2.4 per 100 person-years. By 1992, only 14% were sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia, compared to 100% in 1988. Many had also reduced their risky sexual behavior.

Behavior

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Shoes. Effects of obstetrician characteristics on cesarean delivery rates: a community hospital experience. Timing of scheduled cesarean delivery in patients on a teaching versus private service: Adherence to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines and neonatal outcomes
• Abstracts: Clearance of HIV infection in a perinatally infected infant. GB virus C and mortality from HIV infection
• Abstracts: When patients and pediatricians say good-bye in a pediatric resident continuity clinic. Prevention of violence: role of the pediatrician
• Abstracts: Tobacco prevention education in a pediatric residency program. Intentional injury surveillance in a primary care pediatric setting
• Abstracts: Testing for HIV infection at home. AIDS prevention - sexual ethics and responsibility. Potential use of home HIV testing

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.