Intravenous drug use among street-based sex workers: a high-risk behavior for HIV transmission.
BACKGROUND
HIV prevalence among sex workers in Ho Chi Minh City has increased rapidly, from 6.5% in 1999 to 18.1% in 2000. This study examined whether injecting drug use among street-based sex workers (SSWs) in Ho Chi Minh City is a high-risk factor for HIV infection.


OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the correlates and prevalence of intravenous drug users among SSWs in Ho Chi Minh City.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among SSWs in Ho Chi Minh City during December 2000. The SSWs were interviewed and tested for HIV-1.


RESULTS
HIV-1 seroprevalence was 16.3%. Regression analysis indicated that injecting drugs and being younger than 25 years of age were independently associated with HIV seropositivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Young SSWs who inject drugs are at the greatest risk of contracting HIV and acting as a bridge for HIV to the sexually active population.
Nguyen
Anh Tuan
AT
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen
Tran Hien
TH
Pham
Kim Chi
KC
Le
Truong Giang
TG
Bui
Duc Thang
DT
Hoang
Thuy Long
TL
Saidel
Tobi
T
Detels
Roger
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011477:Sex Work; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*