AIDS surveillance in injecting drug users in Liangshan, Sichuan, 2010-2013

Objective To understand the current status of AIDS prevalence and related risk behaviors among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Liangshan, Sichuan province, and provide evidence for the further intervention in this population. Methods According to the national AIDS sentinel surveillance protocol, questionnaire survey was conducted among IDUs selected by the same sampling method at same period every year to collect the information about their AIDS related knowledge awareness, injecting drug use, commercial sex/other high risk behaviors and condom use. HIV, Treponema pallidum and hepatitis C virus antibodies were detected too. Results From 2010 to 2013, the awareness of AIDS related knowledge among the IDUs in all the areas significantly increased (P 0.01), which was highest in Yuexi (94.5%). The proportion of IDUs sharing needles showed a significant downtrend in all the areas except Ganluo (2=6.269, P=0.099) and Xichang (2=7.413,P=0.067). The area specific HIV infection rate varied with year except the slight decline in Meigu (2=19.166,P 0.01). Conclusion The prevalence of AIDS in IDUs was stable in Liangshan during 2010-2013, but the AIDS related risk behaviors were prevalent in this population. It is still necessary to continue the intervention among this population, including health education, methadone maintenance therapy, clean needle exchange program and condom use promotion.