Risk behavior,health needs,utilization of health services related to HIV/AIDS among drug users in Guangzhou

Objective To understand the knowledge,attitude,risk behavior,health needs,utilization of health services related to HIV/AIDS among drug users in Guangzhou.Methods Information on sociodemographics,knowledge about HIV/AIDS,risk behavior,health needs and utilization of health services related to HIV/AIDS were obtained with a self-administered questionnaire among drug users recruited from addiction treatment clinics.Results The knowledge level on AIDS transmitting route was higher than other AIDS related knowledge among 433 participants.The rate of having sex within six months before the addiction treatment with steady partners,causal partners,sex workers and MSM was 62.1%,32.8%,16.2% and 1.8%,respectively,and corresponding rate of condom use in every sex behavior was 14.0%,19.0%,31.5% and 12.5%,respectively among the participants.57.0% (247) of the participants reported history of intravenous drug use in which 16.6% (41)shared syringes with others within 6 months before the addiction treatment.The prevalence of STD was higher among female participants than that of among the male (χ²=14.326,P<0.001).There were 139 participants reporting utilization of service on AIDS prevention.Conclusion The drug users have certain knowledge about AIDS,but they have high-risk behaviors of HIV infection.The utilization of health services are not sufficiently as well.More extensive and in-depth propaganda,consulting service about HIV/AIDS and HIV test should be conducted urgently.