The HIV prevention needs of injection drug users in Estonia

To assess the relationships between HIV transmission risk behaviours, HIV serostatus and knowledge of HIV serostatus among active injection drug users (IDUs) residing in Tallinn, Estonia, we conducted HIV testing and administered a standardized interview to 266 participants reporting recent injectio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of STD & AIDS 2007-06, Vol.18 (6), p.389-391
Main Authors: WILSON, Tracey E, SHARMA, Anjali, ZILMER, Kai, KALIKOVA, Nelli, UUSKÜLA, Anneli
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Addictive behaviors
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Biological and medical sciences
Drug addiction
Drug addictions
Estonia
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
HIV
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Infections - psychology
HIV Infections - transmission
Human immunodeficiency virus
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Sexual Behavior
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - prevention & control
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - psychology
Substance Abuse, Intravenous - virology
Toxicology
Viral diseases
Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids
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Summary:To assess the relationships between HIV transmission risk behaviours, HIV serostatus and knowledge of HIV serostatus among active injection drug users (IDUs) residing in Tallinn, Estonia, we conducted HIV testing and administered a standardized interview to 266 participants reporting recent injection drug use. In total, 45% were HIV positive, and of those, 39% knew their HIV serostatus. Those who knew their HIV-positive serostatus were less likely to report giving someone else their needle after they used it (9%) than were HIV-negative participants (23%) and those who were HIV positive but unaware of their HIV-positive serostatus (25%). There were no statistically significant differences in unprotected sex or other drug use behaviours between the groups. Most participants reported that HIV can be transmitted through sharing needles (98%) and unprotected sexual activity (93%). Prevention needs of IDUs in this area include increasing the rates of HIV testing and implementing effective programmes to reduce sexual and drug use risk behaviours.
ISSN:0956-4624
1758-1052
DOI:10.1258/095646207781024900