Sexual mixing and condom use with different types of sex partners among non-institutionalized sexually active female injecting drug users in Sichuan, China.

ABSTRACT

Behavioral surveillance data of 1422 sexually active female injecting drug users (IDU) in Sichuan China were analyzed. The prevalence of syringe-sharing was 43.5%. Respectively, 59.0%, 38.5% and 55.7% had regular, non-regular, and commercial sex-partner (RP, NRP, and CSP); 44.3% had multiple types of sex partners; 23.6 and 36.2% of those with RP had NRP and CSP. The prevalence of unprotected sex (last episode) with RP, NRP and CSP were respectively 75.4%, 50.7% and 39.3%; these three variables were associated with each other and with syringe sharing (univariate OR = 1.58-30.13). About 85% of the participants had attempted quitting drug use; the experience was not associated with condom use. HIV voluntary counseling and testing was associated with lower likelihood of unprotected sex with RP, NRP and CSP (multivariate OR= 0.44-0.60); the coverage was only 40.7%. Potential bridging of HIV transmission from IDU to non-IDU populations is a serious concern.