HIV Prevalence and Frequency of Risk Behavior in Injecting Drug Users Entering Treatment and Out of Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study in Five Italian Cities

Abstract

We conducted a study to describe current patterns of drug-related behaviors, and to identify characteristics that may distinguish injecting drug users entering treatment from those out of treatment, in five Italian cities. Overall, 1,180 subjects were recruited — 568 entering treatment and 612 out of treatment. Male to female ratio was 6.6:1. The median age was similar in the two groups. A high proportion of injecting drug users recruited out of treatment had been in treatment at least once. HIV prevalence among injecting drug users entering treatment was not higher than that of those who were out of treatment. Furthermore, a large proportion of injecting drug users who still were out of treatment reported having adopted safe behaviors. The results of the study emphasize the need to implement outreach programs aimed at harm reduction.