Document 2443
 DOCN  M94A2443
 TI    Behaviors concerning AIDS among i.v. drug-users attending 3 anonymous
       and free testing centres.
 DT    9412
 AU    Helal H; Momas I; Cherie L; Pretet S; Poinsard R; DASES-Sous-Direction
       Sante 94/96 Quai de la Rapee, Paris.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):303 (abstract no. PC0140). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370132
 AB    OBJECTIVES--To analyse sexual and drug use behaviors and their changes
       according to information, to evaluate the association of HIV
       seropositivity with potential risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS--This
       study was carried out, during 4 months (February 1-May 30 1993 amongst
       all drug-users attending the 3 centres for HIV testing and counseling (n
       = 147). These patients were interviewed by physicians during the
       consultation about: drug history, sexual behaviors and level of
       information on HIV transmission. The statistical analysis was performed
       using EPIINFO and BMDP packages. RESULTS--The sample included: 74%
       males, with a mean age of 29 years and a good academic standard (43%
       middle school, 45% high school or university). These characteristics did
       not differ from those of patients attending an abuse-drug clinic. Drug
       history: the patients had been using drug for 7 years, on average. 98%
       of them used heroine and 30% heroine with 3 or more other drugs. 65% did
       not share needles during the previous 12 months. Sexual behaviors: 85%
       were heterosexual with an average of 3 sexual partners in the last year.
       44% had drug-user partners and 48% HIV seropositive sexual partners. 25%
       reported regular condom use with casual partner but 33% never used
       condom. Information and behavior change: 76% of the patients estimated
       they had a good knowledge about HIV transmission. This group of informed
       patients shared the syringe significantly less often than non or poorly
       informed patients (p = 0.03). But the two groups did not differ in
       sexual behavior. HIV seropositivity: 9.6% had HIV antibodies. In this
       sample, the serostatus was not statistically related to any risk factor
       (needle sharing, sexual partners). However the duration of drug-use was
       significantly higher amongst HIV seropositive patients (p = 0.02).
       CONCLUSION--There is a clear improvement in the drug-use behavior but
       the sexual risk is still high (high risk sexual partners, slight condom
       use).
 DE    Adult  Female  France  Human  HIV Infections/*TRANSMISSION  HIV
       Seropositivity  Male  Needle Sharing  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior
       Substance Abuse, Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS  MEETING ABSTRACT

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