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Comparative Study
. 2006 May;42(1):108-15.
doi: 10.1097/01.qai.0000199354.88607.2f.

High HIV sexual risk behaviors and sexually transmitted disease prevalence among injection drug users in Northern Vietnam: implications for a generalized HIV epidemic

Vivian F Go  1 , Constantine Frangakis, Le Van Nam, Anna Bergenstrom, Teerada Sripaipan, Jonathan M Zenilman, David D Celentano, Vu Minh Quan
Affiliations
Comparative Study

High HIV sexual risk behaviors and sexually transmitted disease prevalence among injection drug users in Northern Vietnam: implications for a generalized HIV epidemic

Vivian F Go et al. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2006 May.

Abstract

Background: HIV prevalence in Vietnam is currently concentrated among injection drug users (IDUs). The extent to which this core risk group represents a potential for broader HIV transmission to the general population is currently unknown.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study among IDUs in Vietnam assessed sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevalence and behavioral risk factors. Qualitative interview data enhanced quantitative findings.

Results: The prevalence of any STDs among 272 IDUs was 30% (chlamydia, 9%; herpes simplex virus type 2 [HSV-2], 22%; gonorrhea, 0%; and syphilis, 1%). Part-time work or unemployment (odds ratio [OR] = 2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1 to 6.9), sex with > or =2 sex workers in the past year (OR = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.91 to 12.6), having ever smoked heroin (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 18.3), and injecting less frequently than daily (OR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.43 to 10.6) were independently associated with chlamydial infection. Urban residency (OR = 4.0, 95% CI: 1.4 to 11.0) and daily injecting (OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1 to 4.4) were independently associated with HSV-2. Odds of HSV-2 among older (> or =28 years of age) IDUs who had sex with <2 sex workers in the past year was higher than among younger IDUs who had sex with more sex workers (OR = 6.4, 95% CI: 2.1 to 18.4).

Conclusions: High STD prevalence and high-risk sexual and parenteral behaviors among IDUs indicate the potential for HIV/STD transmission to the general Vietnamese population.

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