Document 2431
 DOCN  M94A2431
 TI    HIV infection and STD among methamphetamine abusers and solvent abusers
       in Japan.
 DT    9412
 AU    Wada K; Konuma K; Hirai S; National Institute of Mental Health, Chiba,
       Japan.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):306 (abstract no. PC0152). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370144
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of HIV infection and STD among
       methamphetamine abusers and solvent abusers, and their high-risk
       factors. METHODS: The subjects were 69 consecutive inpatients,
       consisting of 36 methamphetamine-related patients (F15 based on ICD-10)
       and 33 solvent-related patients (F18 based on ICD-10) who had been
       admitted to a drug treatment facility between April 1, 1993 and January
       31, 1994. Mean ages were 33.0 +/- 9.5 for the F15 patients and 26.2 +/-
       7.2 for the F18 patients. After giving informed consent, the patients
       were asked details of their sex life, STD experience and needle use, and
       examined for HIV Ab, hepatitis Ag & Ab and syphilis Ab. RESULTS: There
       were no HIV Ab positive patients. However, 47.2% of the F15 patients and
       15.2% of the F18 patients were HCV Ab positive, and 22.2% and 6.1%,
       respectively, were HBs Ab positive. 94.4% of the F15 patients and 24.2%
       of the F18 patients had injection experience, and 83.3% and 18.2%,
       respectively, had shared needles. 38.9% of the F15 patients and 21.2% of
       the F18 patients had tattoos. 61.1% of the F15 patients and 72.7% of the
       F18 patients had had sexual contacts with anonymous partners, and 80.6%
       and 78.8%, respectively, had had sexual contacts in sex industries.
       CONCLUSION: At present, needle sharing is not a source of HIV infection
       in Japan. However, in addition to casual sex and tattooing, it may be
       one of main sources of HCV infection and HBs infection among
       methamphetamine abusers and solvent abusers. The results suggest that
       there is potential for HIV infection through needle sharing among drug
       abusers. Needle sharing may become a main route for HIV infection as HIV
       prevalence increases in Japan.
 DE    Adult  Human  HIV Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/EPIDEMIOLOGY
       Japan/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *Methamphetamine  Prevalence  Risk Factors  Sex
       Behavior  Sexually Transmitted Diseases/*COMPLICATIONS  *Solvents
       Substance Abuse/COMPLICATIONS  Substance Use Disorders/*COMPLICATIONS
       MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).