Intravenous Drug Use Among Street-Based Sex Workers

Abstract
HIV prevalence among sex workers in Ho Chi Minh City has increased rapidly, from 6.5% in 1999 to 18.1% in 2000. This study examined whether injecting drug use among street-based sex workers (SSWs) in Ho Chi Minh City is a high-risk factor for HIV infection.The goal of this study was to determine the correlates and prevalence of intravenous drug users among SSWs in Ho Chi Minh City.A cross-sectional study was conducted among SSWs in Ho Chi Minh City during December 2000. The SSWs were interviewed and tested for HIV-1.HIV-1 seroprevalence was 16.3%. Regression analysis indicated that injecting drugs and being younger than 25 years of age were independently associated with HIV seropositivity.Young SSWs who inject drugs are at the greatest risk of contracting HIV and acting as a bridge for HIV to the sexually active population.