HIV infection among female drug users in Northern Thailand

• Published in: Drug and alcohol dependence Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 141 - 145
• Main Authors: Srirak, Namtip, Kawichai, Surinda, Vongchak, Tasanai, Razak, Myat Htoo, Jittiwuttikarn, Jaroon, Tovanabutra, Sodsai, Rungruengthanakit, Kittipong, Keawvichit, Rassamee, Beyrer, Chris, Wiboonatakul, Kanokporn, Sripaipan, Teerada, Suriyanon, Vinai, Celentano, David D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 09.05.2005; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Drug abusers; Ethnic Groups; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Harm reduction; Health promotion; HIV; HIV Seropositivity - epidemiology; HIV-1; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Injection drug use; Medical sciences; Methamphetamine; Methamphetamines; Narcotics; Opiates; Opium; Psychoanalysis; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Safe sexual practices; Sexual abuse; Smoking; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - epidemiology; Substance-Related Disorders - epidemiology; Thailand; Thailand - epidemiology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Women; Thailand; Asia; HIV-1; Women; Injection drug use; Methamphetamines; Opiates; Sexual abuse; Thailand; Amphetamine derivatives; HIV-1 virus; Psychotropic; Psychology; Metamfetamine; Victimology; Adult; Female; Woman; Human; Immunopathology; Drug addiction; CNS stimulant; Retroviridae; AIDS; Sympathomimetic; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Infection; Virus; Addiction; Viral disease; Human immunodeficiency virus; Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0376-8716; 1879-0046
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.10.007

Reports on HIV infection and risk behaviors among female drug users in developing countries, particularly in Asia, are limited. In this study, we investigated HIV prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection among 200 women admitted for 21-day inpatient drug detoxification in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Volunteers completed a face-to-face interview using a structured interview, HIV pre-test counseling, specimen collection for HIV and STD tests, and were provided test results and HIV post-test counseling 1 week later. Two-third of participants (68%) were ethnic minorities with no formal education. Overall, 14 (7%) were HIV positive: 25% among 28 heroin injectors and 4.1% among 172 opium or methamphetamine smokers ( p < 0.001). History of drug injection and sexual abuse were associated with HIV infection. HIV prevention strategies for drug-using women in Thailand should consider both harm reduction strategies for drug use and promoting safer sex measures in a culturally appropriate context.