HIV test uptake and related factors amongst heterosexual drug users in Shandong province, China

Abstract

BackgroundIn China, the mode of HIV transmission and the types and routes of drug use have changed in the past decade. HIV testing amongst drug users needs further improvement.MethodsInterviewer-administered questionnaires were used for data collection amongst 600 heterosexual drug users from the community and a municipal detention centre, where criminal suspects are supervised. Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis and multilevel logistic regression analysis were used to identify the factors associated with HIV testing amongst heterosexual drug users. All participants were screened HIV and sexually transmitted infections.ResultsAmongst 600 participants, 554 (92.3%) were methamphetamine users, and 155 (25.8%) underwent HIV testing in the past year. Multivariate analysis results revealed that drug users who were single (adjusted odds ratio(AOR) = 1.923, 95% confidence interval(CI) = 1.189–3.109), had less knowledge of HIV (AOR = 1.706, 95% CI = 1.074–2.711), used only one kind of drug (AOR = 2.649, 95% CI = 1.155–6.077), used drug via a non-injection route (AOR = 2.121, 95% CI = 1.103–4.078), did not receive free condoms (AOR = 2.307, 95% CI = 1.129–4.715) and who did not receive free publicity material from health workers in the past year (AOR = 2.828, 95% CI = 1.757–4.552) were less likely to undergo HIV testing. A total of 594 participants underwent HIV and syphilis screening in this survey. Amongst these participants, 2 (0.3%) were HIV antibody positive, and 88 (14.8%) showed positive results in both non-treponemal test (rapid plasma regain test) and treponemal test (Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test) for the first time.ConclusionsThe rate of HIV test uptake amongst heterosexual drug users in China remains low. Thus, more specific interventions are urgently needed to improve the utilisation of HIV testing amongst heterosexual drug users, particularly amongst non-injection drug users in China.

Uptake of provider-initiated HIV and syphilis testing among heterosexual STD clinic patients in Guangdong, China: results from a cross-sectional study

“…We found a low HIV and syphilis testing uptake among heterosexual STD clinic patients in China. This rate is much lower than previously reported in Zambia, 19 Botswana 20 and South Africa, 21 whereas other studies showed that social stigma against HIV and STD, 22 fear of testing 23 and lack of testing information 24 are main contributors of limiting HIV and syphilis testing, our study found that the most common barrier in this sample of Chinese heterosexual STD clinic patients was a perceived low risk of HIV and syphilis infection. This highlights the importance of improving knowledge and awareness related to HIV and syphilis infection among heterosexual STD clinic patients.…”

Uptake of provider-initiated HIV and syphilis testing among Heterosexual STD Clinic attendees in Southern China: Results from a Cross-sectional Study

“…This rate is much lower than previously reported in Zambia [15], Botswana [16] and South Africa [17]. Whereas other studies showed that social stigma against HIV and STD [18], fear of testing [19] and lack of testing information [20] are main contributors of limiting HIV and syphilis testing, our study found that the most important barriers in this sample of Chinese heterosexual STD clinic attendees were a perceived low prevalence of HIV and syphilis. This highlights the importance of improving knowledge and awareness of HIV and syphilis infection among heterosexual STD clinic attendees on increasing the acceptance of PITC services.…”

Recent HIV testing and associated factors among people who use drugs in Cambodia: a national cross-sectional study

“…[27][28][29][30] Studies in the Asia-Pacific region indicated that HIV testing among PWUD was associated with sociodemographic characteristics, history of injection drug use, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), history of incarceration and HIV-related knowledge. [31][32][33] Under the Cambodian National Strategic Plan IV (2015-2020), individuals at high risk for HIV, including PWUD, are recommended to have an HIV test every 6 months to ensure early diagnosis and ongoing health literacy on HIV prevention. 34 However, currently, there is no published information about HIV testing among PWUD in Cambodia.…”