Document 2454
 DOCN  M94A2454
 TI    HIV seroincidence among injection drug users in Los Angeles, USA,
       1989-1994.
 DT    9412
 AU    Kerndt PR; Weber MD; Ford WL; Cheng FK; Lehman JS; HIV Epidemiology
       Program, Los Angeles, CA.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):300 (abstract no. PC0128). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370121
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To estimate HIV seroincidence (SI) and characterize risk
       behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) seeking methadone treatment
       in Los Angeles County. METHODS: Records were reviewed at 3 methadone
       treatment clinics to identify all clients who had more than one
       confidential HIV test. Enrollment varied by clinic (3/89, 6/92, and
       11/92, respectively) and is ongoing. Only clients whose first HIV test
       was negative were included in the analysis. SI was calculated as the
       number of seroconversions per 100 person years. RESULTS: Of the 2086
       persons in treatment during the study period, 543 (26%) had two or more
       HIV tests. Overall, HIV seroprevalence was 1.2% (26/2086). Among the 543
       clients with repeat HIV tests, 337 (62%) were male, and 206 (38%) were
       female; 265 (49%) were hispanic, were 261 (48%) white, and 17 were (3%)
       black. Four hundred and eleven (79%) reported continued drug injection,
       437 (87%) reported needle sharing in the past 12 months, while 434 (80%)
       reported usually using bleach to clean needles/syringes prior to use.
       One seroconversion was identified for a SI rate of 0.12 per 100 person
       years. Results will be updated to include another year of follow-up.
       CONCLUSIONS: The low SI is consistent with the low observed HIV
       prevalence. The measured SI is likely to be a minimum estimate because
       1) IDUs who do not remain in treatment or who do not return to treatment
       may be at higher risk of infection, 2) blacks were undersampled, and 3)
       recruitment was limited geographically. However, risk behaviors are
       highly prevalent suggesting that rapid spread of HIV could occur should
       seroprevalence rates increase. Ongoing drug treatment and behavioral
       interventions along with continued surveillance for new infections is
       necessary to monitor and control the spread of HIV among IDUs.
 DE    Female  Human  *HIV Seroprevalence  Los Angeles/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Male  Risk
       Factors  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).