Exploratory Analysis of the Association between New-Type Drug Use and Sexual Transmission of HIV in China

Background: A recent assessment by the Chinese government showed that sexual transmission is becoming the main mode of spreading human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China. The annual report on drug abuse demonstrated a seven-fold increase of use of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), which has been strongly correlated with sexual risk-taking behaviors, in 2007 than that in 2003. These observations suggest that ATS use may have contributed to the rapid increase in sexual transmission of HIV in China. Objective: The present study aims to investigate the potential association between new drug users and transmission modes. Methods: Partial Least Squares Path Model and Partial Least Squares Regression Models have been used to evaluate the potential correlation between ATS users and the sexual transmission of HIV. Results: Our analysis indicates that HIV infection by drug use mode mainly results from heroin users (R = .5). ATS (R = -.9) and other drug users (R = -.4) have a negative relationship with HIV infection by drug use mode. However, for HIV infection by sexual transmission mode, ATS (R = 5.5) and other drug users (R = .6) show a positive association. ATS, especially, presents a strongly association with the sexual transmission of HIV. Conclusion: The study results suggest that ATS users significantly contribute to the sexual transmission of HIV. Scientific Significance: It is helpful to evaluate and predict the potential risk factors related with epidemic of HIV in China and provide theoretical evidence for HIV/AIDS health officers and policy makers to better construct target interventions and implement control measures.</.