Injection Drug Use and Unprotected Sex among Institutionalized Drug Users in China

Abstract

The current study was designed to examine injection drug use practices (injecting drugs and needle sharing) and unprotected sexual behaviors (multiple sexual partners, failure to use a condom) among drug users in China. Data were obtained from 833 institutionalized drug users in southwest China. More than two-thirds of the sample reported frequent intravenous or intramuscular drug-injection. Among injection drug users (IDUs), 78% shared needles. Compared to non-IDUs, IDUs who also shared needles had significantly higher rates of having multiple sexual partners (73% versus 54%, p<.001) and of never having used a condom (71% versus 56%, p<.01). The data in this study suggest that IDUs comprise a high-risk population for HIV infection in China and underscore the urgency for preventing injection drug use and unprotected sexual practices among drug users in China.