HIV diagnoses among injection-drug users in states with HIV surveillance--25 states, 1994-2000

Abstract

Injection-drug use is a risk factor for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Of the 765,559 cumulative AIDS cases diagnosed as of December 2000, a total of 193,527 (25%) occurred among injection-drug users (IDUs). IDUs become infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through sharing injection-drug equipment with HIV-infected persons or by engaging in other risk behaviors such as having unprotected sex. Since 1995, AIDS incidence among IDUs has declined. This report presents data on initial HIV diagnoses among IDUs aged >/=13 years, with and without AIDS at the time of HIV diagnosis, by year, during 1994--2000. The findings indicate that HIV diagnoses among IDUs have leveled in the majority of demographic groups during this period in the 25 states for which HIV surveillance data are available. Because IDUs and their sex partners represent approximately one third of persons infected in the HIV epidemic and continue to be at risk for transmitting HIV, prevention efforts targeting IDUs and their sex partners should be enhanced.