Surveillance van HIV-infectie onder injecterende druggebruikers in Nederland: meting Heerlen/Maastricht 1998/1999

Between October 30 1998 and May 27 1999, a serum sample and a questionnaire on risk behaviour were obtained from 222 IDU in Heerlen and Maastricht. Participation was on a voluntary basis and anonymous. Participants were recruited at methadone treatment sites (63%), low-threshold daytime care projects (19%), 'on the street' (10%), and in detainment sites (7%). Of 214 IDU, 30 persons were found to be infected with HIV (prevalence 14.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.7 - 19.4). Seroprevalence was higher in Heerlen (21.6%) than in Maastricht (5.1%) and has increased in Heerlen since 1994 (11%). Eighteen (14%) out of 134 currently injecting IDU borrowed syringes or needles in the last 6 months (1996: 17%, 1994: 19%, not significant). These percentages seem to be similar in the other cities in our surveillance studies. Condom use was very low during sexual contact between steady partners; this was found consistently for the total group (89% not always using a condom). 26% of the IDU have a non-drug user as a steady sexual partner. In spite of several prevention programmes, residual injecting and sexual risk behaviour continues. The presence of high risk behaviour in combination with a high HIV-prevalence indicates the risk of further spread of HIV infection