[Prevalence of HIV infection among drug users in Zuid-Limburg].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of HIV infection among intravenous (IDU) and non-intravenous drug users in Heerlen and Maastricht (Southern Netherlands), to detect subgroups of IDU with a higher risk of HIV infection, and to assess the risk of further spread of HIV.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Heerlen, Kerkrade, Brunssum and Maastricht, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Between August 15 and November 25, 1994, a saliva specimen and a short questionnaire were obtained from 449 drug users (340 IDU) in Heerlen (and environs) and Maastricht. Participants were recruited through methadone care (54%), syringe exchange (16%), a street prostitution project (3%), street recruitment (23%) and other drug users (4%).


RESULTS
Of the 340 IDU 33 were infected (prevalence: 10% (95% confidence interval: 7-13)), among the 109 non-IDU no infections were found (0% (0-3)). IDU making use of the syringe exchange had a higher prevalence (odds ratio 3.13 (1.37-7.61)). In logistic regression analysis, this finding could not be explained by selection on more risky injecting. One in five currently injecting IDU reported having used someone else's used needle or syringe in the last 6 months. One in five IDU had a non-drug user as steady sexual partner. In sexual contacts between steady partners condom use was low. On the basis of self-reported serostatus it appeared that some infections have taken place in the last two years.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HIV infections among IDU in Heerlen and Maastricht is about 10%. IDU using the syringe exchange have a higher prevalence. This means this prevention reaches the high-risk group, but probably can not avoid all infections. The risk of further spread among IDU is high. The risk of spread to non-IDU and non-drug users is present.
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015483:HIV Antibodies
Prevalentie van HIV-infectie onder druggebruikers in Zuid-Limburg.