[Trends in HIV prevalence and risk behaviour among injecting drug users in Rotterdam, I994-2002].
OBJECTIVE
To gain insight into the prevalence of HIV infection, the determinants thereof and the risk behaviour in injecting drug users (IDUs) in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in 2002 in comparison to the HIV survey data from 1994 and 1997.


METHODS
Questionnaire study.


METHODS
In 1994-2002, three periodic HIV surveys were conducted in Rotterdam among IDUs using semi-structured questionnaires on risk behaviour and saliva samples for HIV-antibody determination. In the present study, the data for 2002 were analysed and compared with those from 1994 and 1997.


RESULTS
The number of participants recruited was 494, 470 and 452, respectively. HIV prevalence did not change over time: 1994: 11.4%, 1997: 9.4% and 2002: 10.2%. In the 2002 survey, independent risk factors for HIV were homelessness and onset of injecting drug use at an early age. The percentage of IDUs that had recently shared needles declined from 18% in 1994 to 8% in 2002. Risky sexual behaviour remained prevalent: inconsistent condom use was reported by 85% with steady partners, 43% with casual partners and 31% with clients. The IDUs who knew that they were HIV positive used condoms consistently more often.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of a relatively high HIV prevalence among IDUs in Rotterdam and the high level of unsafe sexual behaviour results in a serious risk of further spread of HIV among both IDUs and the general population.
de Boer
I M
IM
Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu, Centrum voor Infectieziekten Epidemiologie, Postbus 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven.
Op de Coul
E L M
EL
Beuker
R J
RJ
de Zwart
O
O
Al Taqatqa
W
W
van de Laar
M J W
MJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015483:HIV Antibodies