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Persistent HIV Transmission Misconceptions Among People Who Inject Drugs in Massachusetts, USA.

Leah C Shaw¹, Yuni S Jimenez², Darien M Sproesser²

¹Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.

AIDS and Behavior

|April 11, 2026

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Many people who inject drugs (PWID) still hold outdated beliefs about HIV transmission, despite access to prevention services. Education is crucial to correct these misconceptions and reduce new HIV infections.

Area of Science:

Public Health
Infectious Diseases
Epidemiology

Background:

Combination antiretroviral therapy has improved HIV outcomes, but people who inject drugs (PWID) face ongoing risks.
Knowledge gaps regarding HIV acquisition and transmission persist, hindering efforts to reduce new infections.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the prevalence of HIV transmission misconceptions among HIV-negative PWID.
To identify specific areas where knowledge gaps exist within this population.

Main Methods:

185 HIV-negative PWID were recruited from syringe service programs in Massachusetts (2020-2025).
Participants completed a 10-item questionnaire adapted from the International AIDS Questionnaire to assess HIV transmission knowledge.
Responses were categorized into 'many misconceptions,' 'few misconceptions,' and 'no misconceptions.'

Keywords:

HIV transmission Health knowledge, attitudes, practice Risk-taking Substance-related disorders United States

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Main Results:

79% of participants held at least one HIV transmission misconception.
The most common misconception involved transmission via mosquitoes (55% incorrect).
Misconceptions about syringe sharing (13%) and mother-to-child transmission (17%) were also noted.

Conclusions:

Outdated HIV transmission myths remain prevalent among PWID, even with access to harm reduction services.
Targeted education is needed to address long-standing myths, perinatal transmission, and injection-specific transmission routes.