title: Injecting drug users and their health seeking behavior: a cross-sectional study in dhaka, bangladesh.
abstract: Introduction and Aim. Injecting drug users (IDUs) are amongst the most vulnerable people to acquisition of HIV/AIDS. This study aims to collect information on IDUs and their health seeking behavior in Bangladesh. Design and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 IDUs attending a drug rehabilitation center in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected on sociodemographics, drug use, health seeking behavior, knowledge of injecting drugs, and sexual behavior. Results. The mean ± SD and median (IQR) age of the participants were 32.5 ± 21.3 and 33 (27-38) years, respectively, with only 9.2% females. Injection buprenorphine was the drug of choice for 40% of participants, and 58% of the participants first started drug use with smoking cannabis. 73.3% of participants shared needles sometimes and 57.5% were willing to use the needle exchange programs. 60% of the participants had no knowledge about the diseases spread by injection. Condom use during the last intercourse with regular partners was 11.7% and with any partners 15.8%. Conclusion. IDUs in Bangladesh are a high-risk group for HIV/AIDS due to lack of knowledge and risky behaviors. Education and interventions specifically aimed at IDUs are needed, because traditional education may not reach IDUs or influence their behavior.
authors.affiliation: Center for Control of Chronic Diseases (CCCD), International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh ; Center for International Health (CIH), Ludwig Maximilians University (LMU), 7 Leopoldstraße, 80802 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Sheikh Mohammed
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7926-9368
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Shariful Islam
authors.affiliation: Center for Control of Chronic Diseases (CCCD), International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Tuhin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Biswas
authors.affiliation: Research Administration, International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Faiz Ahmed
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bhuiyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Ad-din Sakina Medical College, Jessore 7400, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Serajul
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Center for Child and Adolescent Health, International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), 68 Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Mohammad Mizanur
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Staff Clinic, Ha-Meem Group, Tejgaon, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Hurun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nessa