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HIV risk-taking behaviour among amphetamine users in Sydney, Australia
1National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Australian amphetamine users exhibit significant needle-sharing and sexual risks, similar to opioid users. Despite some risk reduction, a notable minority continue unsafe practices, posing public health concerns.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Substance Abuse Research
Background:
- Needle-sharing and sexual behaviors among drug users are key transmission routes for infectious diseases like HIV.
- Previous research has focused on opioid injectors, with less data available on amphetamine users' risk behaviors.
- Understanding these behaviors in amphetamine users is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of needle-sharing and sexually risky behaviors among Australian amphetamine users.
- To identify factors associated with needle-sharing in this population.
- To compare risk behaviors between amphetamine users and previously studied opioid users.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted among 231 Australian amphetamine users, with half being regular injectors.
- Data collected included demographics, drug use patterns, needle-sharing practices, and sexual risk behaviors.
- Statistical analysis was used to identify predictors of needle-sharing.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of risky needle use and sexual behaviors was comparable to that of Australian opioid injectors.
- Approximately one-third of participants who had ever injected reported sharing needles.
- Factors predicting needle-sharing included having an injecting drug user partner, amphetamine dependence symptoms, and seeking treatment for amphetamine-related issues.
- Regular condom use was low, particularly among those not in the sex industry.
- Sexual risk-taking was not significantly associated with needle-sharing or amphetamine use.
Conclusions:
- Australian amphetamine users engage in substantial needle-sharing and sexual risk behaviors, similar to opioid users.
- While some risk reduction has occurred, a significant minority of both amphetamine and opioid injectors continue high-risk practices.
- Targeted interventions are needed to address persistent unsafe behaviors among drug injectors to mitigate infectious disease transmission.