HIV incidence, retention, and changes of high-risk behaviors among rural injection drug users in Guangxi, China

Abstract

Background: A prospective observational study of HIV seroincidence among high-risk injection drug users (IDU) was carried out in Guangxi, China. The primary objectives of this study were (1) to estimate HIV seroincidence (2) to estimate participant retention rate and (3) to evaluate changes in drug use and sexual behavior over a one year period. Methods: Five hundred HIV seronegative IDU were enrolled. HIV-1 incidence and retention rates were analyzed as a function of sociodemographic, behavioral, and recruitment variables. Changes in drug use and sexual behavior were analyzed at the baseline, 6-month and 12-month follow- up visits. Results: At 12 months of follow-up, the HIV-1 incidence rate was 3.1 per 100 person years, [95% CI: (1.6%; 5.2%)] and participant retention rate was 87%. Reported changes in high-risk behaviors over 12-months included significant decreases in the frequency of heroin injection, in direct or indirect sharing of injection equipment, and in the number of sexual partners. Conclusions: HIV incidence is high among IDU in Guangxi, China despite a self-reported decrease in some high risk behaviors over the course of the study. Copyright © by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.