cross-sectional study among the spouses of injection drug users in Chennai, India

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The intersection between sex and drugs: a cross-sectional study among the

spouses of injection drug users in Chennai, India

It is estimated that there are up to 1.1 million injection drug users (IDUs) in

India; the majority are likely married. We characterize HIV, hepatitis B (HBV)

and hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence and the risk environment of a sample of spouses

of IDUs.

Methods: A cohort of 1158 IDUs (99% male) was recruited in Chennai, India from

2005-06.

A convenience sample of 400 spouses of the male IDUs in this cohort was

recruited in 2009. A risk assessment questionnaire was administered and a blood

sample collected.

Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prevalent HIV.

Results: Median age was 31 years; thirteen percent were widowed and 7% were not

currently living with their spouse. Only 4 (1%) reported ever injecting drugs;

Twenty-two percent and 25% reported ever using non-injection drugs and alcohol,

respectively.

The majority had one lifetime sexual partner and 37(9%) reporting exchanging

sex. Only 7% always used condoms with their regular partner.

HIV, HBV and HCV prevalence were 2.5%, 3.8% and 0.5%, respectively; among

spouses of HIV+ IDUs (n=78), HIV prevalence was 10.3%. The strongest predictor

of HIV was spousal HIV status (OR: 17.9; p<0.001).

Fifty-six percent of women had ever experienced intimate partner violence;

Eight-six percent reported sexual violence.

Conclusions: Our finding of a 10-fold higher HIV prevalence among spouses of

IDUs compared with general population women indicates their vulnerability;

prevalence is likely to increase given the context of low condom use and

frequent sexual violence. Prevention efforts directed at IDUs should also

include programs for spouses.

Author: Sunil Suhas Aylur Srikrishnan CelentanoSethulakshmi

Canjeevaram VasudevanKailapuri MurugavelSanthanam AnandM Suresh

KumarSuniti Shruti Mehta

Credits/Source: BMC Public Health 2011, 11:39

[Guest guest]

http://7thspace.com/headlines/369745/the_intersection_between_sex_and_drugs_a_cr\

oss_sectional_study_among_the_spouses_of_injection_drug_users_in_chennai_india.h\

tml

The intersection between sex and drugs: a cross-sectional study among the

spouses of injection drug users in Chennai, India

It is estimated that there are up to 1.1 million injection drug users (IDUs) in

India; the majority are likely married. We characterize HIV, hepatitis B (HBV)

and hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence and the risk environment of a sample of spouses

of IDUs.

Methods: A cohort of 1158 IDUs (99% male) was recruited in Chennai, India from

2005-06.

A convenience sample of 400 spouses of the male IDUs in this cohort was

recruited in 2009. A risk assessment questionnaire was administered and a blood

sample collected.

Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prevalent HIV.

Results: Median age was 31 years; thirteen percent were widowed and 7% were not

currently living with their spouse. Only 4 (1%) reported ever injecting drugs;

Twenty-two percent and 25% reported ever using non-injection drugs and alcohol,

respectively.

The majority had one lifetime sexual partner and 37(9%) reporting exchanging

sex. Only 7% always used condoms with their regular partner.

HIV, HBV and HCV prevalence were 2.5%, 3.8% and 0.5%, respectively; among

spouses of HIV+ IDUs (n=78), HIV prevalence was 10.3%. The strongest predictor

of HIV was spousal HIV status (OR: 17.9; p<0.001).

Fifty-six percent of women had ever experienced intimate partner violence;

Eight-six percent reported sexual violence.

Conclusions: Our finding of a 10-fold higher HIV prevalence among spouses of

IDUs compared with general population women indicates their vulnerability;

prevalence is likely to increase given the context of low condom use and

frequent sexual violence. Prevention efforts directed at IDUs should also

include programs for spouses.

Author: Sunil Suhas Aylur Srikrishnan CelentanoSethulakshmi

Canjeevaram VasudevanKailapuri MurugavelSanthanam AnandM Suresh

KumarSuniti Shruti Mehta

Credits/Source: BMC Public Health 2011, 11:39

[Guest guest]

http://7thspace.com/headlines/369745/the_intersection_between_sex_and_drugs_a_cr\

oss_sectional_study_among_the_spouses_of_injection_drug_users_in_chennai_india.h\

tml

The intersection between sex and drugs: a cross-sectional study among the

spouses of injection drug users in Chennai, India

It is estimated that there are up to 1.1 million injection drug users (IDUs) in

India; the majority are likely married. We characterize HIV, hepatitis B (HBV)

and hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence and the risk environment of a sample of spouses

of IDUs.

Methods: A cohort of 1158 IDUs (99% male) was recruited in Chennai, India from

2005-06.

A convenience sample of 400 spouses of the male IDUs in this cohort was

recruited in 2009. A risk assessment questionnaire was administered and a blood

sample collected.

Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prevalent HIV.

Results: Median age was 31 years; thirteen percent were widowed and 7% were not

currently living with their spouse. Only 4 (1%) reported ever injecting drugs;

Twenty-two percent and 25% reported ever using non-injection drugs and alcohol,

respectively.

The majority had one lifetime sexual partner and 37(9%) reporting exchanging

sex. Only 7% always used condoms with their regular partner.

HIV, HBV and HCV prevalence were 2.5%, 3.8% and 0.5%, respectively; among

spouses of HIV+ IDUs (n=78), HIV prevalence was 10.3%. The strongest predictor

of HIV was spousal HIV status (OR: 17.9; p<0.001).

Fifty-six percent of women had ever experienced intimate partner violence;

Eight-six percent reported sexual violence.

Conclusions: Our finding of a 10-fold higher HIV prevalence among spouses of

IDUs compared with general population women indicates their vulnerability;

prevalence is likely to increase given the context of low condom use and

frequent sexual violence. Prevention efforts directed at IDUs should also

include programs for spouses.

Author: Sunil Suhas Aylur Srikrishnan CelentanoSethulakshmi

Canjeevaram VasudevanKailapuri MurugavelSanthanam AnandM Suresh

KumarSuniti Shruti Mehta

Credits/Source: BMC Public Health 2011, 11:39

[Guest guest]

http://7thspace.com/headlines/369745/the_intersection_between_sex_and_drugs_a_cr\

oss_sectional_study_among_the_spouses_of_injection_drug_users_in_chennai_india.h\

tml

The intersection between sex and drugs: a cross-sectional study among the

spouses of injection drug users in Chennai, India

It is estimated that there are up to 1.1 million injection drug users (IDUs) in

India; the majority are likely married. We characterize HIV, hepatitis B (HBV)

and hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence and the risk environment of a sample of spouses

of IDUs.

Methods: A cohort of 1158 IDUs (99% male) was recruited in Chennai, India from

2005-06.

A convenience sample of 400 spouses of the male IDUs in this cohort was

recruited in 2009. A risk assessment questionnaire was administered and a blood

sample collected.

Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prevalent HIV.

Results: Median age was 31 years; thirteen percent were widowed and 7% were not

currently living with their spouse. Only 4 (1%) reported ever injecting drugs;

Twenty-two percent and 25% reported ever using non-injection drugs and alcohol,

respectively.

The majority had one lifetime sexual partner and 37(9%) reporting exchanging

sex. Only 7% always used condoms with their regular partner.

HIV, HBV and HCV prevalence were 2.5%, 3.8% and 0.5%, respectively; among

spouses of HIV+ IDUs (n=78), HIV prevalence was 10.3%. The strongest predictor

of HIV was spousal HIV status (OR: 17.9; p<0.001).

Fifty-six percent of women had ever experienced intimate partner violence;

Eight-six percent reported sexual violence.

Conclusions: Our finding of a 10-fold higher HIV prevalence among spouses of

IDUs compared with general population women indicates their vulnerability;

prevalence is likely to increase given the context of low condom use and

frequent sexual violence. Prevention efforts directed at IDUs should also

include programs for spouses.

Author: Sunil Suhas Aylur Srikrishnan CelentanoSethulakshmi

Canjeevaram VasudevanKailapuri MurugavelSanthanam AnandM Suresh

KumarSuniti Shruti Mehta

Credits/Source: BMC Public Health 2011, 11:39