Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity in intravenous (i.v.) drug abusers in three cities of Italy: possible natural history of HIV infection in i.v. drug addicts in Italy

Injecting drug users and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus: what do we know?

This article examines the results of 10 years of research on the relationship between injecting drug use and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The two main transmission modes of HIV among injecting drug users (IDU)-parenteral drug use and sexual behaviour-are examined in detail, as well as the efficacy of attempted interventions to reduce the spread of HIV among this population.

Methadone maintenance and the human immunodeficiency virus: current issues in treatment and research

This paper examines the changes that have occurred in methadone maintenance programmes in response to the advent of HIV and the adoption of harm minimization policies, and the implications of these changes for research. A need for the use of more rigorous research methods is identified and recommendations are made that take into account both the ethical and practical difficulties of conducting research in this area. Both old, unanswered questions that have resurfaced with the recent massive growth in methadone programmes in some countries, and new questions that need to be answered in order to improve the effectiveness of methadone maintenance in the fight against HIV infection are identified as future areas in need of research.

Drug use, injecting practices and sexual behaviour of opioid users in Sydney, Australia

This paper examines drug use, injection practices, and sexual behaviour in a sample of 100 opioid users, both in and out of current opiate treatment. Approximately three-quarters of subjects reported that they had used more than one illicit substance in the month prior to being interviewed. Needle sharing was common, with 29% of subjects having used a needle in the past month after it had been used by someone else, and 25% having passed on a needle after they had used it. The level of condom use was low, with 66.7% of subjects never having used a condom with their regular partner in the month prior to interview, and 20.7% of subjects who had engaged in sex with a casual partner during this period not having used a condom. Variables which were predictive of HIV risk-taking behaviour in relation to needle use were poly-drug use, not being in current treatment, and level of heroin use. Only age was predictive of risky sexual behaviour, with younger subjects being associated with more risk-taking behaviour. It was concluded that while opiate treatment was associated with lower levels of risky injecting practices, there was no association between treatment and safer sexual practices. Given the importance of sexual transmission of HIV more attention needs to be given to the sexual risk-taking behaviour of intravenous drug users.

Epidemiological parameters of HIV transmission

Epidemiological data on the main determinants of the transmission potential of HIV-1 in specific at risk groups in slowly accumulating, but many uncertainties remain.