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CDC Report Examines High-Risk Behaviors Associated With HIV Among Intravenous Drug Users

Medical News Today, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 — "HIV-Associated Behaviors Among Injecting-Drug Users — 23 Cities, United States, May 2005 - February 2006" Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC.

Researchers used data from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System collected from May 2005 to February 2006 in 23 U.S. cities with high AIDS prevalence to assess trends associated with HIV risk behavior, testing and prevention services among injection drug users. The report found that:

• 31.8% of IDUs had shared needles
• 62.6% had unprotected vaginal sex
• 71.5% had been tested for HIV
• 27.4% had used an HIV behavioral intervention service

According to the authors, the findings "underscore the need to continue current public health strategies" aimed at preventing HIV transmission and expand efforts to provide "effective behavioral interventions that focus on HIV risks of sharing syringes and other injection equipment and engaging in high-risk sexual behavior" (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC, 4/10.)