Prevalence of HIV infection among young adult injecting and non-injecting heroin users in Spain in the era of harm reduction programmes: gender differences and other related factors

• DOI: 10.1017/s0950268806007266
• Publication Date: 2006-09-28T05:34:14Z
• Authors: G. BARRIO; L. De La FUENTE; C. TORO; T. M. BRUGAL; V. SORIANO; F. GONZALEZ; M. J. BRAVO; F. VALLEJO; T. C. SILVA
• Keywords: harm reduction; Cross-sectional study

SUMMARY The aims were to assess the prevalence of HIV infection among young adult heroin users, including injecting users (IHUs) and non-injecting (NIHUs), explore differences by gender other factors. design was a cross-sectional cohort study between April 2001 December 2003, which included 961 current (HU), aged 18–30 years: 422 in Madrid, 351 Barcelona 188 Seville; 621 IHUs 340 NIHUs. All street-recruited chain referral methods. Face-to-face interviews conducted using structured questionnaire with computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI). Samples for testing (dried blood spot) collected tested ELISA Western Blot. Bivariate, logistic regression, classification regression tree analyses performed. overall 25·8% (95% CI 22·3–29·3) [32·4% 26·6–38·1) 20·5% 15·6–25·4) Barcelona, 20·6% 9·8–31·4) Seville], whereas NIHUs it 4·0% 2·1–6·7), no cities. significantly higher women than men (10·9%, 95% 4·3–17·5 vs . 1·7%, 0·5–4·2) non-significantly (30·4%, 23·0–37·8 24·1%, 20·1–28·1). short-term 12·9% (CI 8·8–17·02), In analysis, variables associated ever having injected used syringes (OR 3·4, 2·2–5·3), been prison 2·6, 1·6–4·0), as first drug at least weekly 2·3, 1·1–4·5). Factors positively female sex 8·7, 2·6–29·2) age >25 years 3·1, 0·9–11·1), while primary educational level inversely 0·26, 0·1–0·9). Although there are important geographic differences, remains high, even IHUs, almost six times lower is men, particularly A wide range preventive strategies should be developed, aimed primarily empowering negotiate safe sex.