[HIV prevalence among injecting drug users in South Limburg, 1994-1998/1999: increasing trend in Heerlen, not in Maastricht].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of HIV infection and gain insights into the risk behaviour among injecting drug users (IDU) in Heerlen and Maastricht, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Descriptive inventory.


METHODS
In 1994, 1996 and 1998/1999 a questionnaire on risk behaviour was obtained from 866 IDUs in Heerlen and Maastricht, and 858 saliva and serum samples were also obtained for testing on HIV antibodies.


RESULTS
In the total region of Heerlen and Maastricht, no significant change in HIV prevalence was found (1994: 10%, 1996: 12%, 1998/1999: 14%). However, in Heerlen the HIV prevalence was demonstrated to have increased significantly (1994: 11%, 1996: 16%, 1998/1999: 22%), whereas in Maastricht HIV prevalence was constant (1998/1999: 5%). The percentage of participants that injected drugs in the six months preceding the survey decreased from 80% in 1994 to 63% in 1998/1999. Injection-related risk behaviour slightly decreased: in 1998/1999 14% of the participants had borrowed used syringes or needles in the last 6 months. Additionally, inconsistent condom use with steady and casual sexual partners was reported. Of the participants, 86-89% did not always use condoms with steady partners and 49% with casual partners.


CONCLUSIONS
In view of the increasing HIV prevalence among IDUs in Heerlen, the persistent injecting and sexual risk behaviour and the large number of IDUs who have sexual contact with non-users in Heerlen and Maastricht, there is a substantial risk of HIV transmission both within the IDU community and to the general population.
Beuker
R J
RJ
Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, Centrum voor Infectieziekten Epidemiologie, Postbus 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven. roelien.beuker@rivm.nl
Berns
M P H
MP
Hoebe
C J P A
CJ
Jansen
M
M
van de Laar
M J W
MJ
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015483:HIV Antibodies
HIV-prevalentie onder injecterende druggebruikers in Zuid-Limburg, 1994-1998/'99: stijgende trend in Heerlen, niet in Masstricht.