Self-reported testing, HIV status and associated risk behaviours among people who inject drugs in Europe: Important differences between East and West

Anneli Uusküla, Mait Raag, Cinta Folch, Leoni Prasad, Anda Karnite, Maaike G. Van Veen, Ksenia Eritsyan, Magdalena Rosinska, Don C. Des Jarlais, Lucas Wiessing

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Aims: To describe HIV-related risk behaviours, HIV testing and HIV status among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in the 2000 in European countries with highprevalence HIV epidemics among PWID. Methods: Data from 12 cross-sectional studies among PWID from seven countries were used. Meta-analysis was used to synthesize the data and meta-regression to explain heterogeneity [in addition to deriving adjusted odds ratios (AORmeta)]. Results: Data on 1791 PWID from western (the West) and 3537 from central and eastern (the East) European countries were available. The mean age of participating PWIDs was 30.6 years (SD 7.9), 75% were men, and 36% [95% confidence interval 34-37%) were HIV-infected (30% West, 38% East); 22% had not previously been tested for HIV. The prevalence of reported high-risk behaviour was significantly higher among PWID from the East. Comparison of HIV-infected and uninfected PWID within countries yielded similar results across all countries: HIV-infected PWID were less likely to be sexually active [AORmeta 0.69 (0.58-0.81)], reported less unprotected sex [AORmeta 0.59 (0.40-0.83)], but reported more syringe sharing [AORmeta 1.70 (1.30- 2.00)] and more frequent injecting [AORmeta 1.40 (1.20-1.70)] than their HIVuninfected counterparts. Conclusion: Despite the absolute differences in reported risk behaviours among PWID in western and eastern Europe, the associations of risk behaviours with HIV status were similar across the sites and regions. There is a substantial potential for further HIV transmission and acquisition based on the continuous risk behaviours reported. HIV prevention and harm reduction interventions targeting PWID should be evaluated.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1657-1664
Number of pages8
JournalAIDS
Volume28
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 17 2014

Keywords

  • Europe
  • HIV
  • HIV testing
  • Injection drug use
  • Risk behaviour

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

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