[Qualitative study of drug-using and sexual behaviors of drug users in Guangxi].
OBJECTIVE
To understand where and how drug-using and sexual behaviors occurred among drug users.


METHODS
Twenty-five drug users were recruited from detoxification centers and communities. In-depth interview was used to collect information about drug-using and sexual behaviors. Each subject was interviewed separately and privately for about 2 - 3 hours.


RESULTS
Most drug users shifted from oral taking drugs to injecting drugs in order to reduce economic burden and look for "high feeling". Reasons for not injecting among few drug users included 'perceiving information on harm of injection', 'over-dose death' or 'infection with HIV'. Most drug users knew that HIV transmit through sharing needles or having sexual intercourse without using a condom. However, needles were shared at night when drug or needles were scarce. Promiscuous sexual relationship was common among drug users. Most female drug users had engaged in prostitution but few used condoms.


CONCLUSIONS
High-risk drug injecting behaviors and high-risk sexual behaviors were prevalent among drug users despite knowledge on HIV transmission and prevention. Thus, education alone would not work unless specific intervention programs are taken.
Ming
Zhongqiang
Z
Center for STD/AIDS Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Liang
Shaoling
S
Yap
Lorraine
L
Liu
Wei
W
Wu
Zunyou
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*