HIV sentinel surveillance for drug users in Yuxi, 1996 - 2009

Objective To determine the prevalence and changing trends of HIV among drug users in Yuxi city, Yunnan province from 1996 to 2009, providing the basis for further deployment of surveillance and intervention measures. Methods The data of HIV sentinel surveillance for drug users from 1996 to 2009 were statistically analyzed. Results Among 2773 surveyed intravenous drug users, 464 were HIV-antibody-positive. The prevalence ranged between 12.2% and 25.2% for the past years. Statistical differences were shown in the HIV infection rates between genders and between subjects in varied regions (P＜0.005). Analysis showed no difference in the needle-sharing rate and condom use for the last commercial sexual activity between genders (2 = 0.2, 2.3,P＞0.05); however, the two genders differed in the presence of commercial sex activities (2＝6.3, P＜0.05). Conclusion The HIV prevention and control among drug addicts in Yuxi was effective, resulting in a stably low HIV prevalence in this population. Nonetheless, risk factors for the spread of HIV among drug users still exist.