Intravenous Drug Use Among Street-Based Sex Workers

In Brief Background HIV prevalence among sex workers in Ho Chi Minh City has increased rapidly, from 6.5% in 1999 to 18.1% in 2000. This study examined whether injecting drug use among street-based sex workers (SSWs) in Ho Chi Minh City is a high-risk factor for HIV infection. Goal The goal of this study was to determine the correlates and prevalence of intravenous drug users among SSWs in Ho Chi Minh City. Study Design A cross-sectional study was conducted among SSWs in Ho Chi Minh City during December 2000. The SSWs were interviewed and tested for HIV-1. Results HIV-1 seroprevalence was 16.3%. Regression analysis indicated that injecting drugs and being younger than 25 years of age were independently associated with HIV seropositivity. Conclusion Young SSWs who inject drugs are at the greatest risk of contracting HIV and acting as a bridge for HIV to the sexually active population. In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 16.3% of street-based sex workers were found to be HIV-infected, and 12.8% were injecting drugs, with injecting drugs and being under the age of 25 years correlating with HIV infection.

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