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Risk Behaviour and Risk for HIV infection in Population of injecting Drug Users

Mirjana Lana Kosanović ; Zavod za javno zdravstvo "Dr. Andrija Štampar", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Branko Kolarić ; Zavod za javno zdravstvo Zagrebačke županije, Zaprešić, Hrvatska

Sažetak

Introduction: Injecting drug users (IDUs) account for nearly 10% of Croatian population of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). High prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection among IDU population suggests the presence of sexual and drug injecting risk behaviours. These findings require an insight into ways and patterns of behaviour of IDUs. Methods: The research was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire during 50 days on several locations – the Centre for prevention of addiction (Institute for Public Health »Dr. Andrija Stampar« and Croatian Red Cross and NGO HELP, which work with IDUs. The questionnaire was based on the Family Health International Questionnaire for IDUs. Results: A total of 324 IDUs were interviewed, out of which 74,7% are men. Twenty-five percent of the respondents reported sharing a needle and a syringe within the last year, regardless of gender. The majority of above mentioned respondents (80%) can obtain new and unused needles and syringes when they need them. 22% of all respondents have never used a condom. 36 % of all re spondents have never used condom with a regular sexual partner respectively 29 % reported inconsistent condom usage with a non regular (casual) sexual partner. 23 % of respondents have never undergone HIV testing. From those who performed the HIV test, 5,7% never found out their result. Discussion: Despite the fact that several governmental and nongovernmental institutions are dealing with injecting drug users (education, substitution therapy, needle exchange therapy, psychosocial support etc.) a quarter of the respondents in our study engages in risky behaviours and do not perceive their risk about getting HIV infection. As such they make a potential reservoir of hepatitis B and C and HIV infection. The epidemiological investigation and monitoring of patterns of behaviour is essential to perceive trends in changing of risky behaviour. The data collected can be used for launching different preventive programs and activities.

Ključne riječi

injecting drug users (IDUs); risk behaviour; HIV/IDS

Hrčak ID:

43768

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/43768

Datum izdavanja:

3.3.2009.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 1.989 *