High HIV prevalence among injecting drug users in Estonia: implications for understanding the risk environment.
We found a high prevalence of HIV among injecting drug users (IDU) 54% in Tallinn and 90% in Kohtla Jarve, Estonia. Risk factors for HIV in Tallinn included use of the drug 'china white', being registered as an IDU at a drug treatment clinic, and sharing injecting equipment with sex partners. Differences existed in risk behaviour between the cities. An urgent scale-up of HIV prevention is needed. It is also important to explore how local 'risk environments' mediate the risk of HIV transmission.
Platt
Lucy
L
Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Bobrova
Natalia
N
Rhodes
Tim
T
Uusküla
Anneli
A
Parry
John V
JV
Rüütel
Kristi
K
Talu
Ave
A
Abel
Katri
K
Rajaleid
Kristiina
K
Judd
Ali
A
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004957:Estonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology