Papaevangelou G, Ancelle-Park R, Seyrer Y; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1991 Jun 16-21; 7: 408 (abstract no. M.D.4074).
Athens School of Hygiene, Athens, Greece
OBJECTIVES: To measure and compare patterns of risk behaviour in relation to HIV seroprevalence in the European Community and associated COST (Cooperation In Scientific and Technical Research) countries. METHODS: A sample of 200 IVDUs of both sexes and various ages was recruited by each of 12 centres in Belgium, Denmark, France, F.R. Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom - half from the street by the snow-ball technique and peer intermediaries and half recently entering treatment. A standardized questionnaire was used and serological tests performed on blood and/or saliva samples. RESULTS: A total of 2,353 IVDUs were interviewed, including 572 females (24%) and 1,777 males (76%). Median age at interview was 27 years (10-58). Available prevalence rates show wide between-country variations (Spain 50%, Netherlands 37%, France 29%, Sweden 23%, Italy 21%, Ireland 21%, F.R. Germany 19%, Denmark 18%, Belgium 5%, Portugal 3%, Greece 2%). In some countries (e.g. Italy, Ireland), quantity of saliva was insufficient for tests to be carried out on all subjects. A large majority of IVDUs obtain their needles and syringes in pharmacists except in Sweden where there are no over-the-counter sales and countries where needle exchange programmes are well developed (Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom). In the six months prior to the study, 50% of IVDUs had used needles and syringes already used by someone else. Of these, 76% always cleaned them. Principal methods of cleaning were cold water (38%), hot water (20%), and boiling water, bleach or alcohol (37%). Condoms were never used with regular partners for 74% (1059/1422) of IVDUs, with casual partners for 58% (532/922) and with clients for 26% (53/205). CONCLUSION: The study of risk behaviour among intravenous drug users in countries of the European Community shows that risky practices and poor knowledge of preventive measures still prevail.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Belgium
- Communicable Diseases
- Condoms
- Counseling
- Denmark
- European Union
- Female
- France
- Germany
- Great Britain
- Greece
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- HIV Seroprevalence
- Humans
- Ireland
- Italy
- Male
- Needle Sharing
- Needle-Exchange Programs
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Risk-Taking
- Spain
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Sweden
- Syringes
Other ID:
UI: 102183830
From Meeting Abstracts