title: HIV prevalence and risk behaviour in injecting drug users in Berlin.
abstract: In injecting drug users (IDU) newly entering drug treatment centres in Berlin, HIV seroprevalence continuously decreased from 1985 through 1992. A recent cross-sectional study with multi-site sampling (n = 472) showed significantly differing HIV prevalences by site of recruitment (treatment centres 6%, storefront units 20%, infectious disease clinic 56%). In multivariate analysis, the borrowing of syringes in prison was the strongest independent predictor of HIV infection. A majority of the IDU have reduced risks of infection. However, current risk behaviour is common. Of all IDU, 48% reported the borrowing of syringes within the previous 6 months, only 13% had consequently used condoms. Current borrowing of syringes was associated with younger age, shorter history of intravenous drug use, negative HIV serostatus, and non-participation in methadone maintenance programmes. Continued preventive efforts against HIV transmission among IDU are needed.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medisinische Statistik und Informationsverarbeitung, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001604:Berlin / Q000453:epidemiology; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence / Q000639:trends; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone