AEGiS-05IAC: Prevalence of anti-HIV in i.v. drug users of Latina Province, Italy.

5th International AIDS Conference

Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

Prevalence of anti-HIV in i.v. drug users of Latina Province, Italy.

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:171 (abstract no. A.566)
Perroni L, LeFoche L, Mercurio V, Tacconi L, Zanini R, Soscia F; Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Latina General Hospital, Latina. Italy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of HIV infection in i.v. drug users (i.v.d.u.) and to assess the distribution of other known risk factors.

METHODS: All the i.v.d.u. attending public methadone maintenance clinics in the province of Latina, were offered the HIV antibody test. Subjects repeatedly HIV positive (Elisa Abbott) confirmed by Western Blot (W.B.) were also tested for Hepatitis B markers and for syphilis (VDRL, FTA, TPHA). History and clinical examination were performed to detect presence of genital warts and other sexually transmitted diseases (S.T.D.). A standardized questionnaire with questions on sexual preferences, number of sexual partners, prostitution, needle sharing was submitted to them.

RESULTS: Results are shown in table; 90% often shared syringes, while 20% had 3 or more sexual partners in the previous year, 5% were homo-bisexual and 3% were prostitutes. TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME.

CONCLUSION: Our data show the high prevalence of HIV infection in i.v.d.u. in our province. The high frequency of needle sharing is noteworthy. The possible contributory role of sexual at risk habits to HIV transmission in i.v.d.u. should be further investigated.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prevalence, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Sex Behavior, Hispanic Americans, HIV Infections, Prostitution, Sexual Partners, Hepatitis B, HIV Seropositivity, Risk Factors, Needle Sharing, Italy, epidemiology, ICA5

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