Prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use in people with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Korea

Abstract

Background Data on illicit drug use by Korean people infected with HIV are lacking. Here, we examined the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use among people infected with HIV in Korea. Material and methods In this cross-sectional study, we included all patients infected with HIV who visited a tertiary care hospital in Korea from January 1990 to May 2020. Sociodemographic data of patients, including drug use, were collected at the first visit and during follow-up. Results Among 1,267 patients, 5.13% reported the use of an illicit drug in their lifetime, and 2.61% were users of injection drugs. The most commonly used drugs were cannabis/marijuana and methamphetamine, followed by nitrite inhalants, cocaine, dextromethorphan, carisoprodol, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine. The illicit drug users tended to be younger than non-users, homosexuals/bisexuals, and infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV); they had a higher CD4+ cell count than non-users. Among 65 users of illicit drugs, only 24.6% revealed their drug use at the first visit interview, and 24.6% reported using two or more drugs in their lifetime. Individuals who used injection drugs were more likely to be arrested for drug-related charges than the users of non-injection drugs. Moreover, they tended to be heavy users of illicit drugs, to report using two or more drugs in their lifetime, and to be HCV seropositive. In contrast, the users of non-injection drugs were more likely to be experimental users and to start using drugs overseas for the first time, but less likely to report their drug use at the first interview. Conclusions The prevalence of illicit drug use in people with HIV infection in Korea may have been underestimated. Further research based on more accurate measurements are warranted.

Hepatitis Risk in Diabetes Compared to Non-Diabetes and Relevant Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2013–2018

“…Thus, we expect further studies using merged data from various countries. Finally, as this study used a small sample size to identify illegal injection drug users, the number might have been underestimated [ 51 ]. It is difficult to obtain accurate data about illegal drug users.…”

Cross-border Activities Associated With Pattern of Amphetamine-type Stimulants Usage Among Drug Users in Southwest of China

“…It was inconsistent with Korea and Iranian studies, which injection-drug users were more likely be poly-drug users. 43 , 44 However, Vietnamese study did not find any association between methamphetamine use and injection risk behavior. 45 It was difficult for drug addicts to quit drugs, and there would be series of symptoms to alleviate the withdrawal reaction and custom other drugs.…”

Temporal Trends in Syphilis Incidence among Men with HIV in Busan, Korea, 2005–2022: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…However, there were no significant differences in the incidence of syphilis according to the history of illicit or injected drug use in our study. There are several reasons for these findings, but underreporting may be an important factor [ 28 ]. There were some limitations in obtaining accurate data from custody and illicit drug users.…”

“…Latent syphilis acquired within the preceding year was referred to as early latent syphilis, and all other cases of latent syphilis were classified as late latent syphilis or latent syphilis of unknown duration. Illicit drugs were defined as substances that were legally prohibited in Korea under the Act on the Control of Narcotics (narcotics, psychotropic drugs or substances, cannabis, and some substances designated as temporary narcotics, such as nitrite inhalants) and other substances (sniffing of glue) prohibited by the Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses and the Chemical Substance Control Act [ 28 ].…”