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Aridoss S, David JK, Jaganathasamy N, Mathiyazhakan M, Balasubramanian G, Natesan M, V.M. P, Kumar P, Rajan S, Arumugam E. Spatial heterogeneity of risk factors associated with HIV prevalence among men who inject drugs in India: An analysis of the data from the integrated bio-behavioral surveillance, India. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e31688. [PMID: 36482574 PMCID: PMC9726355 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000031688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
People who inject drugs (PWID) are India's third-largest vulnerable population to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PWID in India are confined to certain geographic locations and exhibit varying injecting and sexual risk behaviors, contributing considerably to increasing HIV trends in specific regions. Spatial heterogeneity in risk factors among vulnerable PWID influences HIV prevalence, transmission dynamics, and disease management. Stratified analysis of HIV prevalence based on risk behaviors and geographic locations of PWID will be instrumental in strategic interventions. To stratify the male PWID based on their risk behaviors in each state and determine the HIV prevalence for each stratum. The behavioral data and HIV prevalence of the national integrated biological and behavioural surveillance (IBBS), a nationwide cross-sectional community-based study conducted in 2014 to 2015, was analyzed. Data from 19,902 men who inject drugs across 53 domains in 29 states of India were included. Women who inject drugs were excluded at the time of IBBS, and hence PWID in this study refers to only men who inject drugs. PWID were categorized based on their risk profile, and the corresponding HIV prevalence for each state was determined. HIV prevalence was the highest (29.6%) in Uttar Pradesh, with a high prevalence of risk behaviors among PWID. High HIV prevalence ranging between 12.1% and 22.4% was observed in a few states in East and North-East India and most states in central and North India. Unsafe injecting and sexual practices were significantly (P < .05) associated with higher HIV prevalence and more significantly in National Capital Territory of Delhi (P < .001). Unsafe injecting practices among PWID were proportionally higher in Western and Central India, whereas unsafe sexual behaviors were widespread among most states. Unsafe sexual practices among male PWID were common. The high prevalence of unsafe injecting had significant HIV infection and transmission risks in Western and Central India. The results emphasize the need for stratified, region-specific interventions and combination approaches for harm reduction among PWID. Strengthening the measures that facilitate the reduction of high-risk behaviors, adoption of safe practices, and utilization of HIV services will positively impact HIV prevention measures among PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhakumar Aridoss
- Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Nagaraj Jaganathasamy
- Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Malathi Mathiyazhakan
- Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ganesh Balasubramanian
- Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Manikandan Natesan
- Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Padmapriya V.M.
- Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- National AIDS Control Organisation, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Shobini Rajan
- National AIDS Control Organisation, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, New Delhi, India
| | - Elangovan Arumugam
- Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- * Correspondence: Elangovan Arumugam, Scientist-G, Division of Computing and Information Science, ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2nd Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India (e-mail: )
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Pachuau LN, Tannous C, Dhami MV, Agho KE. HIV among people who inject drugs in India: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1529. [PMID: 35948967 PMCID: PMC9367073 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13922-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about the epidemiology of HIV infection among HIV positive people who inject drugs (PWID) in India. Injecting drug use has emerged as an important route of HIV transmission in India. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the risk behaviours associated with HIV infection among HIV positive PWID and assess the data reported. Methods A systematic search of six electronic databases, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and Ovid Medline was conducted. These databases were searched for published studies on injecting risk behaviours, sexual risk behaviours and socio-demographic factors associated with HIV infection among HIV positive PWID in India. Results A total of 15 studies were included in the review of which 3 studies evaluated HIV/HCV coinfection among HIV positive PWID. Older age, low educational level and employment status were significantly associated with HIV infection. Sharing of syringe and needle, frequency of injection, early initiation of injecting practice, inconsistent condom use and having multiple sexual partners were all commonly associated with HIV infection among HIV positive PWID. Conclusion Our study identified significant injecting and sexual risk behaviours among HIV positive PWID in India. There is an increasing HIV transmission among PWID in different states, more so in the northeastern states and in metropolitan cities in India. More studies need to be conducted in other regions of the country to understand the true burden of the disease. The lack of sufficient data among HIV positive female PWID does not preclude the possibility of a hidden epidemic among female PWID. The need of the hour is for the prevention of further transmission by this high-risk group through the provision of comprehensive programs, surveillance and robust continuation of harm reduction services. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13922-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Ngaihbanglovi Pachuau
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, NSW, DC1797, Penrith, Australia.
| | - Caterina Tannous
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, NSW, DC1797, Penrith, Australia
| | - Mansi Vijaybhai Dhami
- Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.,Belmont Hospital, 16 Croudace Bay Road, Belmont, NSW, 2280, Australia
| | - Kingsley Emwinyore Agho
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Locked Bag 1797, NSW, DC1797, Penrith, Australia.,Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Campus, Penrith, NSW, 2571, Australia.,African Vision Research Institute (AVRI), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban, 3629, South Africa
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