HIV and HCV infections and utilization of related health services among drug users in HIV-sentinel surveillance sites in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province

Objective To examine the prevalence of HIV and HCV infections as well as utilization of related health services among drug users in HIV-sentinel surveillance sites in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Methods Drug users in four HIV sentinel surveillance sites in Dehong Prefecture during 2011-2013 were tested for HIV and HCV infections and were administered a questionnaire according to the National Protocol for HIV Sentinel Surveillance. Results A total of 4 878 person-times were monitored from 2011 to 2013. The prevalence of HIV and HCV infections was 11.6% and 20.5% for the 1 597 drug users in 2011, 9.6% and 23.9% for the 1 602 drug users in 2012, and 10.8% and 26.1% for the 1 679 drug users in 2013, respectively. Trend difference was observed for HCV prevalence (χ²=14.49, P=0.000) but not for HIV prevalence (χ²=0.52,P=0.471) in the three years. Utilization of HIV-related health services varied significantly in the three years. From 2011 to 2013, the proportion of receiving service of peer education was 24.4%, 56.4% and 51.9%; the proportion of receiving service of condom promotion and voluntary HIV counseling and testing was 44.3%, 69.0% and 60.3%; and the proportion of participating in service of community-based methadone maintenance treatment and/or needle exchange programs was 14.2%, 2.9% and 2.3%, respectively. Conclusion Drug users in HIV-sentinel surveillance sites in Dehong Prefecture have high prevalence of HIV and HCV infections but low utilization of HIV-related health education and behavioral interventions. Efforts are needed to promote health education and behavioral interventions targeting drug users.