Prevalence of Infections, HIV Risk Behaviors and Factors Associated with HIV Infection Among Male Injecting Drug Users Attending a Needle/Syringe Exchange Program in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Injecting drug users (IDU) in Bangladesh are at the early stages of an HIV epidemic. To understand the dynamics of the HIV epidemic, male IDU (n = 561) were recruited from the needle/syringe exchange program in Dhaka in 2002, who underwent a risk-behavior survey and were tested for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B. Correlates of HIV infection were determined by conducting bivariate and multiple regression analyses. The median age of the IDU was 35 years, 39.6% had no formal education, approximately half were married and/or living with their regular sex partner and 26% were currently homeless. The median age at first injection was 29 years. HIV was detected in 5.9% of the IDU and homelessness was the only factor independently associated with HIV (OR = 5.5). Urgent measures must be undertaken to prevent escalation of the HIV epidemic. The study's limitations are noted.

High-Risk Behavior of HIV/AIDS among Females Sex Workers in Bangladesh: Survey in Rajshahi City

“…In the early stages of the HIV epidemic in Bangladesh, the highest HIV rate was recorded among male IDUs from Dhaka (2,14). Because injectable drugs are readily available across the border, the high rates of drug use in Rajshahi are not surprising.…”

Mortality among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…14,17,19,21,24,32,38,49,52,57,58 In 20 studies CMRs were provided separately for people who inject drugs according to their HIV status. 15,16,18,28,34,[36][37][38][39][40]45,48,49,55,57,60,65,70,72,74 Allcause mortality was three times higher among HIV+ than among HIV− subjects (CMR ratio: 3.15) (Fig. 8).…”

HIV and AIDS in Bangladesh

“…Data on IDUs are available from multiple sources, including the national surveillance, IDU research cohort studies (15,16), National Assessment of Situation and Responses to Opioid/Opiate Use in Bangladesh (17), and other Rapid Situation Response Assessments conducted by different NGOs. The surveillance system has documented a gradual rise in the prevalence of HIV in this group from Dhaka and in the 7 th Round, 2006, the prevalence rose to 7%.…”

“…The most common reason cited for sharing despite being in the NSP was not having access to sterile needles at the time of injection (57.8%) (16). …”

“…In the cohort studies on male IDUs, approximately 50% were married, 36% had sex with their non-commercial partners (including wives), and 8% had bought sex from sex workers in the previous month. Of those buying sex, 51.2% had used condoms all the time in the last month (16). …”