Telles PR, Bastos FL, Morgado M, Hearst N; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 383 (abstract no. 23208).

Ministry of Health, RJ, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To assess sociodemographic data, risk factors (including psychological aspects) and HIV seroprevalence among IDU's in Rio de Janeiro. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytic components, with pilot testing of intervention strategies. METHODS: 175 IDU's were HIV tested and interviewed using a 3-section questionnaire (1-WHO-IDU's questionnaire modified; 2-Supplemental HIV risk questionnaire; and 3-GHQ-12 to evaluate psychological disturbances). Individual HIV risk prevention counseling was provided to all participants, and they were also offered a "health screening pack" (including other STD examinations and testing, treatment for other medial problems related or not to drug use, etc.). Acceptance and participation rates for the interventions offered were measured, and risk factors were assessed through cross-tabulation with chi-squared t-tests for means, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Subjects were 75% treatment site recruited and 25% street recruited; 84% male; mean age 33 (SD 7.9); 94% injected cocaine. Mean years of injection was 14 (SD 8.7). 49 (28%) were HIV+. Subjects were more likely to be seropositive if street recruited (57% vs 18%; p < .001); shared syringes in the previous 5 years (36 vs 8.5; p < .001); had irregular source of income (38 vs 18; p < .01). In logistic regression, street recruitment (OR = 7.0; p < .001; CI 2.9-16.7); irregular source of income (OR = 26; p < .05; CI 1.1-6.1); and syringe sharing (OR = 6.7; p < .002; CI 2.0-22.0) were independent risk factors. Acceptance and participation in preventive strategies was very high, and close to 100% among HIV+ IDU's. Needle and syringe exchange programs were considered an important strategy by 82% of the sample. High scores were found in GHQ, suggesting high levels of psychological disturbance in the sample. GHQ scores did not vary significantly by HIV status. CONCLUSIONS: Risk behaviors and HIV infection among IDU's remain high in Rio de Janeiro. Harm reduction programs (only now beginning in the city) with easy access and extensive coverage and specifically designed to meet the needs of this population are urgently needed. These programs are likely to be successful, especially because a very high proportion of the IDU population wishes to participate in them.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Brazil
• Counseling
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• HIV Seroprevalence
• Interviews as Topic
• Male
• Needle Sharing
• Needle-Exchange Programs
• Risk Factors
• Risk-Taking
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous

Other ID:

• 98395238

UI: 102228838

From Meeting Abstracts