Behavioral characteristics of seroconverted intravenous drug users.
A total of 440 participants (218 in 1987 and 222 in 1988) were recruited from methadone maintenance clinics in New York City. After obtaining informed consent, a standardized questionnaire was administered. Also, sera were collected and tested for HIV antibody. The overall HIV infection rate was 60% in 1987 and 52% in 1988. In 1987 and 1988, respectively, 19 of 23 and 23 of 40 participants who admitted to a previous HIV seronegative result were found to test HIV seropositive. The behavioral factors which differentiated suspected seroconverters from participants who remained seronegative were frequencies of sharing needles (p < .01), sharing cookers (p < .02), and use of shooting galleries (p < .05) during the last 5 years. Needle-sharing behaviors continue to be associated with HIV seroconversion among IVDUs. More effective education to stop needle sharing among IVDUs is needed.
Nemoto
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Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California-San Francisco.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology