Incidence of HIV among injection drug users entering drug treatment programs in four US cities

J Urban Health. 2001 Mar;78(1):152-61. doi: 10.1093/jurban/78.1.152.

Abstract

We estimated seroincidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and prevalence of risk behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) who accepted voluntary HIV testing on entry to drug treatment. Record-based incidence studies were conducted in 12 drug treatment programs in New York City (n = 890); Newark, New Jersey (n = 521); Seattle, Washington (n = 1,256); and Los Angeles, California (n = 733). Records of confidential HIV tests were abstracted for information on demographics, drug use, and HIV test results. More detailed data on risk behaviors were obtained by a standardized questionnaire. Although overall incidence rates were relatively low in this population (<1/100 person-years), there was a high prevalence of risk behaviors. Needle sharing was reported by more than one-third of the participants in each of the cities. HIV seroincidence rates were up to three-fold higher among younger ID Us. We found that HIV continued to be transmitted among ID Us who had received both drug treatment and HIV counseling and testing. HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) prevention education should continue to be an important component of drug treatment.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Drug Prescriptions
  • HIV Seropositivity / epidemiology*
  • Health Behavior*
  • Health Surveys*
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs
  • Incidence
  • Los Angeles / epidemiology
  • Needle Sharing / statistics & numerical data
  • New Jersey / epidemiology
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Substance Abuse Treatment Centers
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Washington / epidemiology

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs