Document 2449
 DOCN  M94A2449
 TI    Prevalence and risk factors for HIV-1 infection among street-recruited
       IVDUs in Barcelona, Spain.
 DT    9412
 AU    Rodes A; Casabona J; Vall M; Rabella N; AIDS Program, Generalitat de
       Catalunya. Hos. S. Pau. Barcelona.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):301 (abstract no. PC0134). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370126
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To determine HIV-1 seroprevalence and HIV risk behaviors
       among street-recruited IVDUs in Barcelona. METHODS: In 1993, 200 out of
       treatment IVDUs (143 males and 57 females) were recruited at the street
       level, by means of snow-balling techniques. Former IVDUs were used as
       interviewers. Demographic, epidemiological and behavioral data were
       collected by an anonymous structured questionnaire adapted from the
       multicentric WHO study. Anonymous saliva samples were collected using an
       OMNISAL device and were tested for anti-HIV-1 following WHO strategy II.
       RESULTS: Overall, HIV-1 seroprevalence was 51%. Mean age of IVDUs was
       29.5 years, and mean length of injecting behavior was 9.3 years.
       Patterns of consumption in previous 6 months included 99.5% who reported
       heroin use, 58% cocaine, 46.5% speedball, 75% tranquilisers, 27.5%
       amphetamines and 1.5% crack cocaine. As a group, 56.5% and 64.5%
       borrowed and lent injecting equipment, and 41% practiced backloading.
       Among those who share, 74.4% reported always cleaning the equipment, but
       40% of them do so only with water. In the previous 6 months, 77.5% of
       IVDUs have been sexually active; systematic use of condoms was reported
       by 25.6% and 36.1% for regular and occasional partners, respectively.
       Multivariate analysis of this data will be presented to better identify
       HIV-associated risk behaviors. DISCUSSION: This study has been the first
       attempt in Catalonia to describe drug and sex behaviors of a population
       of IVDUs not in contact with the social and health care system, as well
       as the introduction of saliva tests for epidemiological purposes.
       Identified risk behaviors show the need to reinforce prevention
       strategies and to better explain the basic concepts of HIV transmission
       to this population.
 DE    Adult  Female  Human  HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *HIV Seroprevalence
       *HIV-1  Male  Risk Factors  Sex Behavior  Spain/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Substance
       Abuse, Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS  MEETING ABSTRACT

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