Prevalence of HIV antibodies in groups at risk in Zürich, Switzerland

To investigate the epidemiology of HIV infection among intravenous drug abusers (IVDA) in Berlin (West), from October 1984 to October 1988, 741 heterosexual IVDA were recruited from facilities for drug treatment and counseling. In this group 22.8% were seropositive for antibodies against HIV, representing 21.1% of the females and 23.5% of the males. Seroprevalences of hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and lues were 67.7%, 40.1%, and 4.0%, respectively. Seropositivity for HIV antibodies correlated with positive seromarkers for hepatitis B and A, and with certain behavioral and social features such as sharing of injection equipment, imprisonment, and intravenous drug use in prison. The crude time trend of HIV seroprevalence shows an increase from 17.1% in those subjects who discontinued i.v. drug abuse in 1983 or earlier to 31.5% in 1985, and a decrease over the past 3 years to 14.1% in 1988. After adjusting for temporary changes in the study group, the estimated HIV seroprevalence odds show an almost steady increase and were significantly higher for those who were injecting drugs in 1987 and 1988 compared with those who stopped i.v. drug use before 1984. Thus IVDA with a persistent risk profile are at a still-increasing risk of acquiring HIV infection.

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AIDS-Epidemiologie und Prävention bei i.v.-Drogenabhängigen

Uchtenhagen

1988

Soz Präventivmed

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The incidence of AIDS cases in intravenous drug abusers is growing faster than in other risk groups, in Switzerland as well as in Europe in general. By end of May 1988, 27% of all AIDS cases registered nationally were injecting drugs. The prevalence of HIV antibodies is known from selected samples only, on the basis of voluntary testing. In 1986, among all intravenous drug users in residential treatment nation-wide, 90% were tested and thereof 55% seropositive. In a sample of drug abusers in out-patient treatment in Zurich in 1987, seropositivity was documented for 42% of male and 63% of female patients. According to registered AIDS cases, there is no differential risk for both sexes. Duration of intravenous drug abuse is the only relevant risk factor so far. Preventive change in risk taking behaviour is a minimalization of utilizing contaminated syringes/needles and a minimalization of unprotected sex (safer sex by regular use of condoms). An analysis of published data demonstrates that dissemination of information and availability of syringes/condoms are a pre-requisite for behaviour change, but by no means sufficient in order to elicit behaviour change. Drug abusers engaged in out-patient/residential treatment are available in high proportions for voluntary testing and for the intended behavioural changes. It is therefore of primary preventive interest to engage as many intravenous drug abusers as possible in treatment. Apart from drug-free residential treatment, out-patient treatment using Methadone provides positive results, whereas compulsory measures are considered to be of doubtful value.

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Prevalence of HIV antibodies in groups at risk in Zürich, Switzerland

Cited by 4 publications

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Methadon im Prüfstand

Methadon im Prüfstand

HIV infection in intravenous drug abusers in Berlin: Risk factors and time trends

AIDS-Epidemiologie und Prävention bei i.v.-Drogenabhängigen

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