Analysis of HIV infections among 233 intravenous injection heroin abusers

Objective:To understand the situation of HIV infections among intravenous injection heroin abusers and the relationship between high-risk behaviors and HIV infection.Methods: HIV serum antibody of 233 intravenous injection heroin abusers in Compulsory Drug Treatment and Management Center of Beijing public Security Bureau from October,2006 to October,2007 was tested and investigated.Self-designed questionnaire of drug abuse and high-risk sexual behavior was used.Results: Male intravenous injection heroin abusers were mainly (61.7%).And their average age was 30.2a ± s6.7a (The minimum was 18a,while the maximum was 51a).The majority of vocations were unemployed (50.8%) and private or self-employed (15.6%) and HIV infection rate of the abusers was 5.6% (13 cases).Their average time of use drug was 5.0a±s3.4a.Their average dosage of use drug was 0.37g±s0.49g.These abusers took heroin mainly in their homes (87.6%).The abusers got syringes mainly from pharmacies and department stores (79.4%),37.9% had shared syringes.8.3% had more than four sexual partners other than their spouse.8.6% were suffering from syphilis,gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases.Conclusion: The intravenous injection heroin abusers were the high-risk people of HIV infection.Intravenous injection,sharing syringes,and unsafe sex were the three main ways of HIV infection.We should give them significant intervention and make them aware of high-risk behaviors and avoid them.All of these would help control the spread of HIV/AIDS.