A quasi-experimental study on a community-based behaviour change programme among injecting drug users in Sichuan, China.
The objective of this study is to explore an effective model of comprehensive intervention on HIV/AIDS among injecting drug users (IDUs) in communities located in urban areas and to evaluate its feasibility in Sichuan Province, China. A quasi-experimental study was designed so that various intervention measures were conducted in the intervention city but not in the control city. A Behaviour Surveillance Survey was introduced to evaluate intervention exposure and the effect of behaviour change. In the intervention city, services received by IDUs increased over time (P < 0.001). Awareness of HIV increased from 34.2% in 2003 to 58.3% in 2004, and to 67.4% in 2005 (P < 0.001). The proportion of IDUs surveyed who shared a needle the last time they injected drugs decreased from 17.1% in 2003 to 7.0% in 2005, and in terms of the past month from 42.4% in 2003 to 18.4% in 2005 (P < 0.001). Data from a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that comprehensive intervention was a protective factor for behaviour change (odds ratio [OR] =0.561; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.424-0.741). A well-designed and organized comprehensive intervention programme will effectively change the high-risk behaviour among IDUs in these communities. A more comprehensive, expanded and integrated response is needed when conducting an HIV/AIDS prevention programme.
Zhou
J-S
JS
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China. zzzzjs@hotmail.com
Zhang
K-L
KL
Zhang
L-L
LL
Kang
J-X
JX
Zhang
J-X
JX
Lai
W-H
WH
Liu
L
L
Liu
G
G
Zeng
Y-L
YL
D000328:Adult; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult