Behavioral effects of receiving HIV test results among injecting drug users in Puerto Rico

To examine the influence of knowledge of HIV serostatus on changes in risk behaviors among injecting drug users (IDU).

IDU were recruited through sampling conducted at street drug-selling areas. Of 374 participants, 88.8% consented to be HIV tested and returned for their test results, and 73.5% were relocated and interviewed 6 months later.

Of the 176 IDU who reported a seronegative test result prior to baseline, 29 tested seropositive at baseline. No significant differences were found between HIV-positive and HIV-negative IDU in needle risk behaviors. HIV-positive IDU were significantly less likely to report being sexually active [odds ratio (OR), 0.41 : 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22-0.75] and more likely to use condoms during vaginal (OR, 4.43; 95% CI, 1.48-13.29) and oral sex (OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 1.42-31.33).

The findings of this study show the importance of encouraging IDU to undergo periodic retesting. HIV testing could have an important role in reducing heterosexual transmission from IDU.