[Rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in intravenous drug addicts from the Barcelona area, according to sex and age of drug consumption onset].
BACKGROUND
The differences in the rates of HIV infection in intravenous drug addicts according to the age of onset of drug consumption, sex and length of intake were evaluated.


METHODS
The study sample was made up of 650 intravenous drug addicts (535 males and 115 females) admitted to a Hospital Detoxication Unit over 7 years (1987-1993). Of all these patients HIV serology and a questionnaire related to sociodemographic variables and drug consumption (age, sex, year of onset of intravenous drug intake, length of addiction and year of admission) were obtained.


RESULTS
The rate of HIV infection for any length of addiction was higher in females than in males with this difference being significant for a length of addiction of less than 24 months (p = 0.03). The greater the age of onset in the use of intravenous drugs the lower the rate of HIV infection (p < 0.0001). In addiction times of less than 24 months the subjects who began drug consumption at an earlier age than the mean (19 years) presented significantly higher HIV infection rates (p = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Among the intravenous drug consumers in the area of Barcelona, Spain subgroups may be found: those who enter the consumption of intravenous drugs early and women, demonstrating high rates of HIV seroprevalence from the onset of their addiction.
Egea
J M
JM
Unidad de Desintoxicación, Hospital Universitario Germans Trias i Pujol, Barcelona.
Tor
J
J
Muga
R
R
Roca
J
J
Rodríguez
R
R
Navío
M
M
Rey-Joly
C
C
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
Tasas de infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en drogadictos intravenosos del área de Barcelona, según sexo y edad de inicio en el consumo.