1MPH Scholar,
2Associate Professor,
3Assistant Professor,
4Professor,
*Corresponding author: Manmeet Kaur, Associate Professor, Health Promotion School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, Email: mini.manmeet@gmail.com
Studies indicate that epidemics of HIV can spread rapidly among injecting drug users (IDUs). A rising trend of HIV has been observed among IDUs in Chandigarh.
A cross-sectional study was carried out among adult IDUs identified for targeted interventions by State AIDS Control Society. A random sample of 115 IDUs was selected; however, data could be collected from 92. A semi-structured interview schedule was used for data collection.
All respondents were males. About half of the respondents (49%) had shared injecting needles in the past, but 17.4% (95% CI 10.3–26.7) had done so during the last month. Fifty-three percent of IDUs had sexual intercourse with Female Sex Workers (FSWs), and 12% had sex with another man. Out of the 91.3% sexually active respondents, 27.3% had never used condom while having sex with FSWs. Sex with non-regular partner was significantly higher (87.5%) among those who shared injecting needles than those who did not share needles (50.7%) (p 0.03).
IDUs had not only unsafe injecting practices but their sexual practices were also mostly unsafe. Therefore, HIV prevention programs should also emphasize safe sexual behaviors along with safe injection practices.
Risk, HIV, Injecting Drug Use, Sexuality, Behavior
