Investigation of HIV, HCV and syphilis infection and associated behaviors among drug addicts in Yuxi, Yunnan province

Objective　The study was conducted to investigate the ethological characteristics of drug addicts and their HIV, HCV and syphilis infections in Yuxi, Yunan province. Methods　A total of 470 drug addicts from a drug rehabilitation center of Yuxi were recruited for antibody tests of HIV, HCV and syphilis. Results　The infection rate of HIV was 12.8%, HCV 81.9%, and syphilis 3.2%. Conclusion Needle sharing was considered the primary cause of HIV and HCV infections among drug addicts, and unprotected sex behaviors was the cause of syphilis infection. In middle scale AIDS epidemic areas, a large amount of HIV and HCV infected addicts were present. Therefore, HCV tests should be established for the drug abusing group to minimize the incidence in conjunction with promoted health education and behavioral intervention among them, particularly the female addicts.