GEOGRAPHIC-VARIATION IN HIV-INFECTION AMONG INJECTING DRUG-USERS WITHIN BARCELONA

In response to a high incidence of AIDS among injecting drug users in Barcelona, Spain, the city established a program in four geographicall y distinct centers for assistance and surveillance. The centers provid ed testing, counseling, and monitoring of infectious diseases. In 1991 -92, HIV rates were 33% in the northwest center, 39% in the western ce nter, 39% in the east, and 71% in the south. Differences between the r ates in the southern center when compared with those in the other cent ers were very significant (P less than or equal to .001). These data s how geographic variation of HIV infection within one city and substant iate the need to provide expanded medical care in the drug misuse trea tment setting.