Factors associated with HIV testing among people who inject drugs Tehran

ABSTRACT

Background: Little published research have assessed factors predicting the uptake of HIV-testing services for people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iranian settings. The objectives of the present study were to determine factors associated with HIV testing uptake among PWID in Tehran.

Methods: We surveyed 500 PWID in Tehran concerning demographic characteristics, drug-related and sexual risk behaviors, and HIV testing. HIV-related stigma variables were assessed using a scale consisted of 22 agree/disagree statements in three subscales including shame/blame/isolation, perceived discrimination, and equity. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with HIV testing.

Results: Participant ages ranged from 19 to 67 years. Multivariable model shows that factors independently associated with recent HIV testing included level of education (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 1.12, 95% CI 1.44–4.42), living status (aOR 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–2.71), income (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.18–2.29), length of injecting career (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2–2.23), and perceived risk of HIV infection (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 1.18–0.88). There was a statistically significant relationship between lower level of HIV-related stigma and HIV testing among PWID (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.15–5.2).

Conclusions: These findings suggested a need to strengthen current HIV testing programs by social support and reducing HIV-related stigma. It is also important to modify the attitude of the public toward people living with HIV/AIDS.

KEYWORDS:

• People who inject drugs
• HIV testing
• stigma
• Tehran

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to all the staff in the drop-in centers (DICs) in Tehran who supported the participant recruitment and data collection/interview. We thank participants for their time and interest in the study.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Funding

All surveys were funded by Social Welfare and Rehabilitation University (SWRU) in Tehran, Iran.

Additional information

Funding

All surveys were funded by Social Welfare and Rehabilitation University (SWRU) in Tehran, Iran.

Notes on contributors

Bahram Armoon

Study concept and design: BA and MN; analysis and interpretation of data: AR and HGG; and initial draft of the manuscript: AF, AM, AN, and FM. Critical revision and approval of final submitted version of the manuscript: PH and AN.