Cent Eur J Public Health 2001, 9(4):228-235

High prevalence of HIV risk-behavior and the identification of predictors for sharing injecting materials among young drug users in Prague, Czech Republic

Mikl J.¹, Brůčková M.², Jedlička J.², Malý M.², Vysloužilová Š.¹, Douda I.³, Minařík J.⁴, Smith P.⁵, DeHovitz J.⁶

¹ State University of New York at Albany, School of Public Health, USA

² National Reference Laboratory on AIDS, National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic

³ The Drop-In, Prague, Czech Republic

⁴ The K-Centrum, Prague, Czech Republic

⁵ New York State Department of Health, Albany, USA

⁶ University of New York at Brooklyn Science Center, USA

This study is one of the first studies in the Czech Republic evaluating the extent of the HIV epidemic among drug users. Interview data on demographics, drug use, sexual practices, and HIV knowledge and risk perception were obtained from study participants and a saliva sample was obtained for an HIV antibody test. Although the HIV infection rate is low (0.2 %), the prevalence of high risk behaviors, such as sharing injecting equipment and unsafe sexual practices, indicate a potential for rapid HIV spread in this high risk population. Preventive measures need to be targeted toward drug users, especially those of younger age and women.

Zveřejněno: 1. listopad 2001  Zobrazit citaci