Sources of HIV information among injecting drug users: Association with gender, ethnicity, and risk behaviour

Abstract

Sources of HIV information were examined for 774 male and female injecting drug users (IDUs). The majority (80.7%) had received HIV information from one or more sources in the prior 3 months. The most frequently mentioned sources were television (39.9%) and friends or family (22.2%). There were few differences in source of HIV information with regard to gender, ethnicity, or age. Differences were more frequently observed between cities. The relationship of information source and subject characteristics with HIV knowledge, perceived risk, drug-related and sexual practices was examined using logistic regression. For men, exposure to mass media sources (OR = 1.48) and small media materials (OR = 2.03) were related to HIV knowledge. Small media and interpersonal information were related to HIV testing for men (OR = 1.95 and 1.85, respectively) and women (OR = 2.25 and 2.54). Interpersonal sources of information were also associated with increased sharing of injection equipment (OR = 2.04) and bleach use (OR = 2.23) among female IDUs. Significant differences in HIV knowledge and risk-related practices were also observed for ethnicity, city, men who have sex with men, and women who had traded sex for money or drugs. Implications for targeting HIV prevention efforts for IDUs are discussed.