[Prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV infections among participants in an intravenous drug user risk-control program].
BACKGROUND
To determine the prevalence of tuberculosis and HIV infection in addition to the related factors among a population of participants in the risk control program in the town of Lleida.


METHODS
The sample was comprised of the newly-enrolled participants in the program in April-June 1996, among whom a questionnaire was handed out for collecting the data concerning the variables involved: age, gender, results of the tuberculin test, BCG vaccination, knowledge of the serology regarding HIV, former imprisonment and number of years having used heroin. The prevalence of the tuberculosis and HIV infection was calculated to a 95% confidence interval (CI). The relating of these two variables to all other variables in the study was determined by means of the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% CI.


RESULTS
One hundred and fifty (150) patients were seen, 45 of whom were newly enrolled participants. Eighty percent (80%) were males, averaging 31.1 years of age. The prevalence of this dual infection was 8.9% (95% CI 2.8-22.1). The prevalence of the tuberculosis infection was 27.3% (95% CI 12.4-43.0), being higher among former prison inmates (OR = 3.4; 95% CI 0.5-27.4). The prevalence of the HIV infection was 36.1% (95% CI 21.3-53.8), being greater among those who had been using heroin for longer than 11 years (OR = 7.3; 95% CI 1.0-65.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Former imprisonment is the main risk factor for tuberculosis infection. The number of years of heroin use are related to the HIV infection, especially when longer than 11 years. The risk control programs in our country should carry out activities aimed at monitoring tuberculosis and HIV infection.
Alvarez Rodríguez
M
M
Programa de reducción de riesgos para UDVP, Servei Obert de Lleida.
Godoy García
P
P
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011329:Prisoners; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology*