Non-intravenous Users Research Articles

Compliance with Safer-Sex Guidelines among Adolescent Males: Application of the Health Belief Model and Protection Motivation Theory

Abstract The Health Belief Model (HBM) and Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) were utilized to assess compliance with safer-sex guidelines among 250 heterosexual males who are non-intravenous drug-users. Data were collected with a valid and reliable 40-item questionnaire developed according to the tenets of HBM and PMT and included knowledge items. “Perceived susceptibility” and “perceived self efficacy” were the two factors that least explained compliance at a significance level. Other factors such as AIDS knowledge, age, and educational attainment of respondents did not significantly account for compliance to safer-sex guidelines. Blending of the variables of HBM and PMT showed that compliance to safer-sex guidelines was a multidimensional concept. Direction for further research and recommendations for design of AIDS educational programs for heterosexual males who are non-intravenous drug users were outlined.

Prevalence, Incidence, and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Drug Users in Amsterdam

The prevalence, risk factors, and incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were studied in a cohort of drug users in Amsterdam. In intravenous drug users, the seroprevalence was 74% (224/304) versus 10% (4/42) in nonintravenous drug users. Risk factors independently associated with HCV antibody seropositivity were history and duration of intravenous drug use and frequency of injections. Daily smoking of heroin in the previous 6 months was independently associated with the absence of HCV antibodies. Periods of fever, tiredness, and diarrhea in the preceding 6 months were associated with HCV antibodies even after correction for human immunodeficiency virus infection. The incidence rate of HCV infection appeared high and stable over the years 1986 to 1989. Thus, HCV infections are common among intravenous drug users and are mainly due to the intravenous use of drugs.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for HTLV-I/II Infection Among Female Prostitutes in the United States

We tested 1305 female prostitutes from eight areas of the United States for antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II. Overall, 6.7% were human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II seropositive (with antibodies to both gag and env gene products). The seroprevalence rates ranged from 0% in southern Nevada to 25.4% in Newark, NJ. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II seropositivity was independently associated with race (odds ratio, 4.68), intravenous drug use (odds ratio, 2.94), hepatitis B seropositivity (odds ratio, 2.87), recruitment in Newark (odds ratio, 2.34), and more years of sexual activity (odds ratio, 1.08 per year of sexual activity). Groups with high rates included blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians, and the rates in these groups were significantly higher than among whites and Asian Americans for women both with and without a history of intravenous drug use. Among intravenous drug users, the only other independent associations were more years of sexual activity and recruitment in Newark; and in non-intravenous drug users, hepatitis B seropositivity. These data show that human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I/II infection is present among female prostitutes in some areas of the United States. Further studies are needed to evaluate patterns of transmission and long-term health effects.

Psychoactive substance use and related behaviours of 135 regular illicit drug users in Scotland

Using a ‘snowballing’ technique, prospective data have been collected from 135 regular drug using individuals in two Scottish towns, Edinburgh, and Ayr. Data from the first wave would suggest that poly drug use is common, with a major reliance on licit, prescribed substances. Amongst both intravenous and non-intravenous drug users, awareness and concern about HIV/ AIDS would not appear to have produced significant changes in sexual behaviour. Furthermore, responses from intravenous users indicate that there has been no large scale adoption of safer injection techniques.

Practices reported by incarcerated drug abusers to reduce risk of AIDS.

The nation's response to AIDS has failed to effectively curb the spread of AIDS among intravenous (IV) drug users, who are primarily responsible for transmitting the disease to heterosexuals and children. A study assessing awareness of AIDS among 58 county jail inmates--27 IV drug abusers and 31 nonintravenous drug abusers--found that a minority had received formal AIDS education. All of the subjects claimed to be taking some precautions against AIDS, but IV drug abusers were significantly more fearful about contracting AIDS than were nonintravenous users. Less than half of either group knew that asymptomatic carriers of the AIDS virus were infectious. IV drug users who reported no longer sharing needles (56 percent) or no longer shooting drugs (22 percent) were more likely than those who took less effective precautions to believe that individuals had control over events. County jails and other correctional institutions are urged to educate inmates about AIDS prevention.

Delta infection in Japan: Immunohistological and immuno‐electron microscopic study of delta antigen in liver tissue

Abstract Although the vast majority of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers of the world inhabit South‐east Asia, very little is known about delta infection in this area. Therefore, a serological and immunohistological study was made in the Tokyo‐Chiba area. One of 58 (1.7%) HBsAg carriers had anti‐delta antibody in a high titre in serum. Delta antigen was immuno‐histologically localized in the liver in two of 146 (1.4%) HBsAg carriers studied. The antigen was strongly stained in the nuclei, and positive cells were diffusely scattered throughout the liver in both cases. Neither subject was an illicit drug user: one had travelled to Italy 10 years earlier and the other had a blood transfusion during a 5‐year residence in Bangkok in the past.Thus, there is delta infection among non‐intravenous drug users in Japan. Delta infection has been linked to severe liver damage, occasionally fatal. Once introduced, it could become epidemic in a country where hepatitis B virus infection is endemic, and might spread among non‐drug users.