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.

Keywords:

• Injecting drug user (IDU)
• HIV
• hepatitis
• syphilis
• risk behavior
• Needle Syringe Exchange Programs (NSEP)
• Bangladesh
• homelessness
• resource poor country
• surrogate markers

Acknowledgments

The study was funded by AusAID, grant number GR-00376. ICDDR,B acknowledges with gratitude the commitment of AusAID to the Centre's research efforts. The NSEP of CARE, Bangladesh was funded by DfID and the HIV/AIDS Prevention Project of the Govt. of Bangladesh through funds from GoB/DfID/IDA managed by UNICEF.

Notes

*IQR = interquartile range.

^a Prices quoted are of the period during which time this study was conducted (2002–2003).

^b One US$ = 68.3 Takas.

^a OR = Unadjusted Odds Ratio.

^b RC = reference category.

^c Cut-off point was created based on median income.

* p < 0.05

** p < 0.01

*** p < 0.001.