Community-based survey of HIV transmission modes among intravenous drug users in Sichuan, China

Goal. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence and different transmission risk factors of HIV among intravenous drug users (IDUs) in the Liangshan Yizu Autonomous Region of Sichuan province, China. Methods: From November 8, 2002, to November 29, 2002, a community-based survey was conducted to investigate demographic characteristics, sharing patterns of injection equipment, frequencies of injection equipment, and sexual behaviors in IDUs. Blood samples were also collected to test for HIV and syphilis infection. A total of 379 subjects were recruited for the study through community outreach and peer recruiting methods. Results: Of 379 IDUs, HIV prevalence was 11.3% (43 of 379). Ethnicity, total times of shared injection equipment in the past 3 months, shared cotton in the past 3 months, and syphilis infection were associated with HIV infection after univariate analysis using the chisquared test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed total times of sharing injection equipment in the past 3 months (odds ratio [OR], 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-4.43) and syphilis infection (OR, 3.10; 95% CI, 1.48-6.48) in the final model were independently associated with HIV prevalence. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested total times of sharing injection equipment in the past 3 months and syphilis infection were significantly associated with HIV infection. Further seroepidemiologic prospective cohort studies should be conducted to clarify the impact of syphilis and high-risk sexual behaviors on HIV transmission through unprotected sexual intercourse.