Changes in the prevalence of HIV-related behaviors and perceptions among 1832 injecting drug users in Sichuan, China.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate overall effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus-related prevention programs among injecting drug users in Sichuan, China.


METHODS
Behavioral surveillance data were analyzed.


RESULTS
The coverage rates for various service types increased from 2002--2004. The prevalence of using other's used syringes in the last month decreased from between 24.7% and 54.1% in the baseline years (2002 or 2003) to between 11% and 18.9% in 2004 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06-0.2 to OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, P <0.05]. Improvements were observed in prevalence of giving used syringes to others for drug injection in the last month (OR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.06-0.1 to OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9 in 3 counties, P <0.05) etc. Increase in prevalence of condom use with commercial sex partners or nonregular partners were observed in 3 counties (2004 vs. baseline year: OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.5 to OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9, P <0.05) but not for prevalence of condom use with regular sex partners.


CONCLUSIONS
The results supported the claim that harm reduction programs targeting injecting drug users have been effective.
Lau
Joseph T F
JT
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
Zhang
Linglin
L
Zhang
Yun
Y
Wang
Ning
N
Lau
Mason
M
Tsui
Hi-Yi
HY
Zhang
Jianxin
J
Cheng
Feng
F
D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002681:China; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous