Risk factors for HIV-1 seropositivity in drug users under 30 years old in Haiphong, Vietnam

Aims. To assess the prevalence of HIV infection among young drug users in H aiphong and, secondarily, to document the current patterns of drug use and sexual behavior in them. Design, setting and participants. A cross-sectiona l survey of drug users 15-30 years old, identified from police lists and by the snowballing method between March 15 and May 30, 1999, was conducted in Haiphong City. Measurements. Subjects (n = 520: 514 males and six females) were interviewed and donated blood specimens for HIV-1 antibody testing. F indings. Mean age of the subjects was 25 years (range 15-30 years). The pre valence of HIV among injecting drug users (IDUs) was 74% and among drug use rs not reporting injecting was 46% (92/201). Sixty-one per cent (319) repor ted injecting drugs. Among injectors, 72% used heroin, and 68% had shared n eedles. Factors related to the presence of HIV antibody among IDUs were sha ring needles (OR: 4.12) and injecting more than 31 times per month (OR: 2.3 7). Extramarital sex within the last 6 months was reported by 44% of single and 24% of married IDUs. Conclusion. The high HIV-1 prevalence in drug use rs and their frequent sexual mixing with the non-drug-using population sugg ests that preventive interventions for reduction of high-risk drug taking a nd sexual activities are urgently needed in these populations. Intervention s through public sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics are unlikely to have much impact, as only 16% of IDUs with an STI attended a public STI clinic.