Abstract:
Injecting drug use (IDU) offers a100% chance to transmit blood borne infections. There exist scanty
reports on factors predisposing IDUs to HIV infection and spread in Malindi Sub-county. IDUs are a
potential bridging population in transmission of HIV to the general population. This study determined
risk factors predisposing to HIV infection in Malindi. This was a cross-sectional study that involved
211 consented adults age 18 years and above from Malindi Sub-county. Structured questionnaires
were used to collect information on risk behaviors and socio-demographic background of the
participants using the snowball sampling procedure. About 5ml of venous blood was aseptically
drawn into EDTA vacutainer tubes from each participant. The whole blood was separated into plasma
which was used for HIV testing using Vironostika HIVAg/Ab protocol. The prevalence of HIV
among IDUs was estimated to be 53.1%. Majorities were male (78.9%). About 77.8% received
primary education, while a negligible number (1.4%) had tertiary education. There was a significant
association between the level of education and HIV infection (P<0.02). A significant majority of
IDUs (90.5%) had no spouse; nevertheless, no significant relationship was established between
marital status and HIV infection among the IDUs (P=0.114). A significant proportion had other high
risk behaviors; MSM (19.9%), CSM (16.6%), needle sharing (48.8%). There was high significant
relationship between risky habits and HIV infection (P<0.001). These results show that low level of
education, needle sharing and practicing risky sexual habits such as MSM and FSW are the most
predisposing factors in HIV infection among IDUs in Malindi.
