RISK-FACTORS FOR INTRAVENOUS DRUG-USE AND SHARING EQUIPMENT AMONG YOUNG MALE DRUG-USERS IN LONGCHUAN COUNTY, SOUTH-WEST CHINA

Objectives: To identify the risk factors for intravenous drug use and sharing of equipment in Longchuan County in south-west China. Methods: Demographic information and sexual and drug-use-related behavior betw een 1 January 1991 and 1 August 1994 were collected retrospectively fr om a cohort of young male drug users aged 18-29 years in 82 villages. Results: A total of 433 drug users were identified. The cumulative inc idence of intravenous drug use was 40.0% during the 3.7-year study per iod. The annual incidence increased from 10% in 1991 to over 30% in 19 94. Risk factors for intravenous drug use among drug users, according to the multivariate model, included having had premarital/extramarital sex [odds ratio (OR), 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-2.3], h aving a family member who used drugs in 1991 (OR, 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1-2.9 ), and currently not married (OR, 1.6, 95% CI, 0.98-2.7). Being Buddhi st protected against intravenous drug use (OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9). The population attributable fraction was 30% for not being currently m arried, 17% for having had premarital/extramarital sex and 14% for hav ing a family member who used drugs. The risk factor for sharing of equ ipment was being of Jingpo ethnicity (OR, 5.8; 95% CI, 2.5-13.8). The average incidence of sharing equipment was 19.6% per year. The populat ion attributable fraction for sharing equipment was 58.5% for being Ji ngpo. Conclusions: The incidence of intravenous drug use and sharing e quipment is increasing. Therefore, it is urgent that vigorous, effecti ve intervention programs be initiated in southern Yunnan. Unmarried, s exually promiscuous Jingpo drug users with a family history of drug us e should be especially targeted. Given the problems of transport and c ommunication in this remote area of China, intervention programs which use existing social, governmental and community networks should be im plemented.