Abstract
Correction: Due to an error in the online publication of this journal, the publication date of this issue was recorded as 2014. The publication date was corrected to 2015 on 3 rd September 2015. The date on the cover is correct. Background: Behaviour related to injection drug use such as needle and syringe sharing and unsafe sex contribute to the transmission of blood-borne viral infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Therefore, it is recommended that ongoing Injection Drug Users (IDUs) should receive screening for HIV, HBV and HCV at least once every 6 to 12 months. This study aims to estimate prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV testing uptake among IDUs living in Songkhla Province, Thailand, and explore its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 157 male IDUs living in Songkhla, in southern Thailand, between July 2013 and January 2014. Participants were recruited through a snowball technique where they were given a unique coded coupon. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. Results: The most common test reported was HIV (72%), followed by HBV (44.6%) and HCV (39.5%) respectively. Over one quarter (26.1%) reported not having been tested in the past 12 months while 35.7% reported having been tested for all three viruses. IDUs who had visited an NGO-run drop-in centre, knew the risks of injection drug use, had completed secondary or higher education, had used heroin or amphetamine less than weekly, had received targeted information or education, or were married, and had a greater likelihood to report receiving all three tests. Discussion and conclusions: There is room for improvement in the utilisation of testing for blood-borne viral infections. More attention must be given to those participants who have never visited a health facility or a drop-in centre, do not know the risks of injection drug use and do not receive targeted information or education. Particularly, IDUs who use drugs more frequently should be the first priority. International Journal of Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2015;1(3-4):38-54
Highlights
Injection Drug Use remains a serious public health issue around the globe with an estimated 15.9 million Injection Drug Users (IDUs) in 2007
In Thailand, the number of IDUs between 2009 and 2011 was approximately 40,300.2 Behaviours related to injection drug use such as needle and syringe sharing and unsafe sex contribute to the transmission of blood-borne viral infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
This study reported in this article is aimed at estimating prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV testing uptake among IDUs living in Songkhla Province, Thailand, and a compared history of drug use, and related factors between the three groups: IDUs who had never been tested for HIV, HBV or HCV; IDUs who had been tested for either HIV, HBV or HCV; and IDUs who had been tested for all three viruses
Summary
Injection Drug Use remains a serious public health issue around the globe with an estimated 15.9 million IDUs in 2007. The largest numbers were estimated to be living in China, the USA, and Russia.[1] In Thailand, the number of IDUs between 2009 and 2011 was approximately 40,300.2 Behaviours related to injection drug use such as needle and syringe sharing and unsafe sex contribute to the transmission of blood-borne viral infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). 19% were estimated to be HIV-positive (among 15.9 million IDUs) (1).[1] The prevalence of HIV varies greatly, with the highest rate being found in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Behaviour related to injection drug use such as needle and syringe sharing and unsafe sex contribute to the transmission of blood-borne viral infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). This study aims to estimate prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV testing uptake among IDUs living in Songkhla Province, Thailand, and explore its associated factors
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