HIV risk behaviour among injecting drug users in Perth: the Australian National AIDS and Injecting Drug Use Study

This paper examines the stigma of injecting drug use as an underlying factor in the poor health status of Australian injecting drug users. Drawing on various models of stigma described in the literature, we examine injecting drug users’ experiences. As a case study, examples from Victorian (specifically Melbourne) policy and practice are included to exemplify community and societal attitudes towards injecting drug users and the implications of these for injecting drug user health. We conclude that redressing the negative effects of stigma requires political will, financial support, increased community commitment and a better understanding of the links between the social determinant of health and the poor health status of injecting drug users. Without reducing the stigma of injecting drug use the health of this marginalised population is likely to get worse, which will have broader negative population health effects.

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Gender differences in HIV risk behaviour of injecting drug users in Edinburgh

AIDS Care ◽

10.1080/09540129650125489 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 517-528 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

A. G. Davies ◽

N. J. Dominy ◽

A. D. Peters ◽

A. M. Richardson

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Drug Users ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Injecting Drug Users

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The natural history of injecting drug use: a 25-year longitudinal study of a cohort of injecting drug users in inner city Dublin

Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -) ◽

10.1007/s11845-012-0814-9 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 181 (4) ◽

pp. 541-548 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

F. D. O’Kelly ◽

C. M. O’Kelly

Keyword(s):

Longitudinal Study ◽

Drug Use ◽

Natural History ◽

Inner City ◽

Drug Users ◽

Injecting Drug Users ◽

Injecting Drug Use ◽

History Of

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Global overview of injecting drug use and HIV infection among injecting drug users

AIDS ◽

10.1097/00002030-200411190-00010 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 2295-2303 ◽

Cited By ~ 284

Author(s):

Carmen Aceijas ◽

Gerry V Stimson ◽

Matthew Hickman ◽

Tim Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Drug Use ◽

Hiv Infection ◽

Drug Users ◽

Injecting Drug Users ◽

Injecting Drug Use

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Prevalence of hepatitis C in drug users in Flanders: determinants and geographic differences

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268804002973 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 133 (1) ◽

pp. 127-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

C. MATHEÏ ◽

G. ROBAEYS ◽

P. VAN DAMME ◽

F. BUNTINX ◽

R. VERRANDO

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Drug Use ◽

Drug Users ◽

Methadone Maintenance ◽

Risk Behaviour ◽

Injecting Drug Use ◽

Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽

Hepatitis C Infection ◽

Related Risk ◽

Geographic Regions

The prevalence of hepatitis C and related risk factors in drug users were compared in two geographic regions in Belgium, the city of Antwerp and the mixed urban–rural area of Limburg. All 310 participants were surveyed and screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. Prevalence rates of anti-HCV, anti-HBc and anti-HIV were 71, 62 and 4% in Antwerp and 46, 21 and 0% in Limburg respectively. Injecting drug use, duration of injecting drug use, work as a commercial sex-worker, originating from Turkey or Northern Africa, marginalization and anti-HBc positivity were identified as independent predictors for hepatitis C infection. In this study an important difference in HCV seroprevalence among drug users in a methadone maintenance programme across two geographic regions in Belgium was demonstrated. This was explained not only by variations in drug-related risk behaviour, but also by differences in sexual risk behaviour and socio-economic status.

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