Risk factors for HIV-1 seropositivity in drug users under 30 years old in Haiphong, Vietnam

Aims. To assess the prevalence of HIV infection among young drug users in Haiphong and, secondarily, to document the current patterns of drug use and sexual behavior in them. Design, setting and participants. A cross-sectional survey of drug users 15-30 years old, identified from police lists and by the snowballing method between March 15 and May 30, 1999, was conducted in Haiphong City. Measurements. Subjects (n = 520: 514 males and six females) were interviewed and donated blood specimens for HIV-1 antibody testing. Findings. Mean age of the subjects was 25 years (range 15-30 years). The prevalence of HIV among injecting drug users (IDUs) was 74% and among drug users not reporting injecting was 46% (92/201). Sixty-one per cent (319) reported injecting drugs. Among injectors, 72% used heroin, and 68% had shared needles. Factors related to the presence of HIV antibody among IDUs were sharing needles (OR: 4.12) and injecting more than 31 times per month (OR: 2.37). Extramarital sex within the last 6 months was reported by 44% of single and 24% of married IDUs. Conclusion. The high HIV-1 prevalence in drug users and their frequent sexual mixing with the non-drug-using population suggests that preventive interventions for reduction of high-risk drug taking and sexual activities are urgently needed in these populations. Interventions through public sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics are unlikely to have much impact, as only 16% of IDUs with an STI attended a public STI clinic.