HIV, AIDS, and Intravenous Drug Use: Some Considerations

• NCJ Number: 124043
• Journal: Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1990) Pages: 181-194
• Author(s): J A Inciardi
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes the three epidemiological patterns of HIV and AIDS worldwide. In the U.S., homosexual and bisexual men are the largest risk group for AIDS, followed by intravenous drug users.

Abstract

At least 25 percent of IV drug users in the U.S. are infected with HIV, which is transmitted through needle-sharing practices as well as behavioral practices and microbiological agents that facilitate transmission. Additional risk factors for IV drug users are the actual injection process and the use of prostitution as a means of supporting drug habits. Another aspect of the AIDS/IV drug use connection is the incidence of pediatric cases, over 80 percent of which are the result of perinatal transmission. Blacks and Hispanics are overrepresented in the number of known AIDS cases in the U.S. as a result of these minorities' representation within the IV drug user population. However, IV drug users also seem to be a difficult population to reach with routine AIDS prevention messages that discourage needle sharing and unsafe sexual practices. 3 tables, 21 references. (Author abstract modified)