[Behavior associated with HIV-1 infection in drug addicts in Rome, 1990-1992]

Two cross-sectional surveys have been conducted in Rome in 1990 and 1992 to investigate prevalence and temporal differences of risk behaviours among drug injectors. A total of 487 drug injectors in 1990, and 450 in 1992 have been interviewed both in the street and in treatment services. Twenty-four percent of the subjects interviewed in 1990 reported having used second-hand syringes in the preceding 6 months, as compared to 14% in 1992; in the two years 29% and 13%, respectively, reported having passed a second-hand syringe to other drug injectors. Fifty-six percent (46% in 1992) of primary partners of drug injectors interviewed were not drug users themselves, while the prevalence of non drug using occasional partners was 34% and 43% in the two surveys. In 1990 condom use with primary partner was reported by 48% of drug injectors, and by 41% in 1992; condom use with occasional partners was 56% and 64% in the two years. The differences in sharing behaviours were observed for HIV-1 positive subjects, while HIV-1 negatives reported the same prevalence of use of second-hand syringes in 1990 and 1992; no statistically significant differences have been found for sexual behaviours among the HIV-1 positives, while the HIV-1 negatives reported a lower prevalence of condom use with primary partner. The observed differences in the two years remain also adjusting for the socio-demographic characteristics of the two populations in a multiple logistic regression model. Prevalence of HIV-1 related risk behaviours among drug injectors is still too high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)