Predisposing factors for HIV infection among injecting drug users in Malindi Sub-County, Kenya

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.