Open AccessPrevalence of HIV among injection drug users in Georgia
Author(s) -
Chikovani Ivdity,
Goguadze Ketevan,
Ranade Sudit,
Wertlieb Mollie,
Rukhadze Natia,
Gotsadze George
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of the international aids society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.724
H-Index - 62
ISSN - 1758-2652
DOI - 10.1186/1758-2652-14-9
Subject(s) - medicine , injection drug use , drug , drug injection , population , transmission (telecommunications) , environmental health , imprisonment , odds , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , cross sectional study , family medicine , demography , pharmacology , pathology , logistic regression , sociology , political science , law , electrical engineering , engineering
Background Injection drug use remains a major risk factor for HIV transmission in Georgia. The study aims to characterize the prevalence of HIV among injection drug users in Georgia. Methods A cross‐sectional, anonymous bio‐behavioural survey to assess knowledge and behaviour in injection drug users in combination with laboratory testing on HIV status was conducted in five Georgian cities (Tbilisi, Gori, Telavi, Zugdidi and Batumi) in 2009. A snowball sample of 1127 eligible injection drug user participants was investigated. Results Odds of HIV exposure were increased for injection drug users of greater age, with greater duration of drug use and with a history of imprisonment or detainment (p < 0.05). Conclusions More research is required to analyze the determinants of HIV risk in Georgian injection drug users. The imprisoned population and young injection drug users may be appropriate target groups for programmes aimed at preventing HIV transmission.