Injecting and Sexual Networks and Sociodemographic Factors and Dual HIV Risk among People Who Inject Drugs: A Cross-sectional Study in Kermanshah Province, Iran

Background: Few studies suggest that social network factors, including size of sexual network may associate with drug-related and sexual high-risk behaviors. The objective of this study is to investigate injecting and sexual networks and sociodemographic factors that might be associated with dual HIV risk (DHR) among people who inject drug (PWID).Methods: The data from a cross-sectional study of ۴۵۵ PWID that were recruited through peer-referral sampling were used in this study. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisted of modules on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual and injection-related risk behaviors during ۱۲ months before the interview. DHR was defined as engaged in both using a syringe previously used by other PWIDs and unprotected sex during last ۱۲ months. Data analysis was performed with descriptive and logistic regression. In final model, we considered variables with P < ۰.۵۰۰ as statistically significant. Finally, reported adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and confidence interval (۹۵% CI) for variables that were significant in the final model.Findings: A total of ۴۵۵ men who injected drugs participated in this study. The mean age ± standard deviation was ۳۳.۲ ± ۷.۳ (range ۱۹-۵۸) years. Overall, the prevalence of DHR In the last ۱۲ months, ۳۸% (۹۵% CI: ۱۸.۳-۵۱.۲%). Multivariate model showed that regular visit to needle, syringe programs (NSPs) reduced odd of HDR to ۵۰% when adjusted for other covariates, but still remained statistically significant (P < ۰.۰۵۰). The odds of reporting DHR was significantly higher in those ≥ ۲ sex partners and injection partner (P < ۰.۰۱۰). Odds of DHR was higher (AOR: ۲.۳) among participants who had more than ۲ injection per day but was not statistically significant (P > ۰.۰۵۰).Conclusion: DHR was common in PWID in Kermanshah. Having multiple injecting and sexual partners increased the odds of engaging in dual risk behaviors, but regular visit of NSPs can reduce the DHR among PWID.

کلیدواژه ها:

People who inject drugs ، Dual risk behaviors ، social network