High HIV-1 prevalence among metamphetamine users in central Thailand, 1999-2000

HIV-1 prevalence was studied in 1,890 metamphetamine users from Thanyarak Hospital from 1999 to 2000. 64.8 per cent positive urine metamphetamine and 2.3 per cent positive urine opiate were observed. The most common route of the drug intake was 93.92 per cent inhalation. HIV-1 prevalence was 2.44 per cent (95% Confidence interval; 1.65-3.18%). 44 out of 46 HIV-1 infected cases were typeable as 32 (72.73%) subtype E and the rest of subtype B'. Active opiate users had a higher rate of HIV-1 infection, 15.91 per cent, compared to 2.11 per cent of the non-opiate users (Fisher's exact test p=0.0002). This group of metamphetamine users is important to public health and more attention on intervention efforts towards HIV infection is urgently needed.