Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

554 Abstracts ThPeE7863-ThPeE7866

XIV International AIDS Conference

phetamines, ecstasy, gamma hydroxil butyrate and ketamine use widely documented.
Methods: the nida funded substance use risk exploration study (sure) undertook
ethnographic and epidemiological research in western washington state and san
jose,ca between 1998-2001. results: Two hundred fourteen interviews were completed of which 132 were msms.
Subjects: ages ranged from 18-59, with a mean age of 33; nearly 40% were men
of color: latinos, african-americans, asian-pacific islanders, native americans. all
reported using meth alone or in combination with a club drug or alcohol during
previous 60 days. twenty-three percent (23%) reported idu histories of meth, and
sometimes heroin or cocaine; 11% injected in the previous 30 days. men described significant social pressure to experiment and use drugs recreationally for
many purposes: to enhance sexual prowess, to engage in tedious tasks, to selfmedicate symptoms of hiv, depression and grief, urban vs rural msms exhibited
different patterns of drug use, as did men < 35 vs > 35 there were some ethnic
drug use differences.
Conclusions: this multimethod study revealed a complex world of contiguous,
overlapping social ecologies among msms, some age or cohort based, some geographical,others sex venue or drug driven, all were striking in their intensity and
profile of risk and complementarity of sex with drugs and vice versa.findings have
important implications for both hiv and drug related research efforts, outreach
and prevention efforts and for developing linkages both to HIV early education,
intervention,treatment and appropriate drug abuse treatment programs.
Presenting author: e michael gorman, san jose state university, 1 washington
sq, san jose, ca, United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone],
E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7863 Contextual and environmental aspects of
methamphetamine abuse in us women and HIV risk
A.PR Pach1, E.M. Gorman2, J. Topolski3, C. Clark2, K. Nelson4, A. Scrol4,
E. Amato4, T. Applegate4. 1NORC-Univ of Chicago, 1113 lancaster rd, takoma
park, md 20912, United States; 2San Jose State University San Jose, Ca
905192-0124, United States; 3Missouri Inst of Mental Health, St Louis,MO,
United States; 4San Jose State University, San Jose,Ca 905192-0124, United
States
Background: between 1991-2001 public treatment admissions in many western,
midwestern states increased by as much as 1000%; women often represented
50% of admissions.
Methods: the nida funded substance use risk exploration (sure) study utilized
ethnographic methods nested in an epidemiological design.
Results: the sure study provided data about initiation, paterrns of drug use and
sexual behavior,health and mental health consequences and impacts on families
and communities. Fifty-four women were intrerviewed approximately 25% were
women of color. Ages ranged from 19-54 with a mean age of 32. All reported
using meth alone or in combination with other drugs, i.e. Marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, heroin and alcohol. Twenty-eight percent had histories of idu; 26% had
injected in the last 30 days. Women reported little awareness of hiv or hepatitis;
fewer than one third had been tested. Meth use predisposed to unsafe sexual
practices, needle sharing; women described complicated, difficult reproductive
health issues with high ratios of menstrual irregularities,miscarriages, abortions.
Reasons for current methamphetamine use included desire for increased confidence,connecting to others, altering depression, sex, and assisting with work
tasks. Many described serious mental health and social consequences i.e. Having to give up children, divorce, family disintegration, economic hardship.
Conclusion: findings from this small descriptive study provide insight into both
hiv risk dynamics associated with methamphetamine use among us women.those
who so use, especially those who inject, are at elevated risk for hiv. There is urgent need for more research with this population.
Presenting author: alfred pach, 1113 lancaster rd, takoma park, md 20912,
United States, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7864 Examining experience, understanding practice:
lived experience, professionalism and HIV
prevention for injection drug users in Vancouver
Canada
J.P. Egan. University of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, Dept.
Educational Studies, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver BC V5T 4H3, Canada
Background: To examine how the lived experiences of prevention workers whose
clients are IDUs shape their practices.
Methods: A mixed methods (survey and interview) data collection was used. People from NGO and government health agencies whose work included direct HIV
prevention with IDUs were recruited from 70 agencies in total. 37 respondents
completed a detailed questionnaire; of these 18 participated in 1-15. hour qualita
tive interviews to better nuance emergent areas of interest. Demographics, beliefs
about drug use, addiction and HIV prevention practicies were collected. Respondents whose affiliation was an NGO (n=19) and those from government agencies
(n=18) were compared.
Results: NGO workers were less likely to give syringes without an even exchange (p<.01), or proffer information about achieving abstinence from the injecting drug. Health workers were more likely to recommend methadone as a

treatment strategy (p<.01). Both groups were likely to support needle exchange
programs, safe injecting venues, and limited government-dispensed heroin to established addicts. All respondents strongly condemned the dearth of existing services for addicts wishing to pursue abstinence, and the lack of consideration of
post-treatment options-most specifically quality housing-for addicts.
Conclusions: Frontline AIDS prevention workers in Vancouver working with IDUs
see few options for addicts wanting to get off injecting drugs. Given this, they prioritize broader harm reduction options for their clients. Their awareness of the lack
of options for post-treatment abstinent users highlights a critical gap in current
public policy on substance mis/use.
Presenting author: John Egan, University of British Columbia, Dept. Educational
Studies, 2125 Main Mall, Vancouver BC V5T 4H3, Canada, Tel.: [phone],
Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7865I Prevalence and Risk Factor of Anemia in
HIV-Infected People and Intravenous Drug Users
(IVDU)in Argentina
A.R. Troncoso. Infectious Diseases Francisco J Muhiz Hospital and Rene Baron
Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Background: The high level of anemia among IVDU with HIV infection has given
rise to concerns about the best way to reduce the negative consequences of drug
use.
Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with 130 people. Measurements included sociodemographics characteristics, laboratory determinations of,
hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Ht) and CD4 levels.
Results: A total of 130 participants in the study were divided into two groups:
Group 1 (with anemia): 55 % patients, average age 31.4 years ~3.3 SD (range,
22-44), median Ht value were 23.29%~3.71(range, 14.42-29.98%) and Hb value
were 7.31g/dL ~1.13 (range, 4.5 -9.0 g/dL). Group 2 (without anemia): 45 %
patients, average age 27.2 years age ~2.8 SD (range, 24-52), Ht were 35.78
% ~2.4 (range, 31.45-41.76%) and Hb levels werel1.46 g/dL ~1.8 (range 11.2 -14.0 g/dL). The following finding occurred the most frequently among HIV patients IVDU with anemia illness: no steady partner (64%), no housing (44%), sexworkers (61%), ZDV therapy (72%), AIDS diagnosis (64%), low CD4+cell count
(50%), a Quetelet body mass index < 20 (68%), high frequency of injecting drugs
(47%), infections-related to injections (58%).
Conclusions: The results indicate a high prevalence of anemia, which can be explained mainly by high frequency of injecting drugs and late state of HIV infection.
Physicians must remember that even mild to moderate anemia can have a debilitating impact among persons with the symptom. The harm reduction strategies
are now well demonstrated for prevention of anemia and other complications in
IVDU in the AIDS era, but the establishment of harm reduction programs, policies
and networks is not easy -lack of money and political will are two key barriers.
Furthermore, benefits of prevention programs can be sustained if they empower
the target population with the knowledge and resources to reduce the risk of suffering anemia.
Presenting author: Alcides R Troncoso, Infectious Diseases, Rene Baron Foundation, Uspallata 2272, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tel.: [phone], Fax:
[phone], E-mail: [email protected]
ThPeE7866 Peer counseling for and by injecting drug user
(IDU) infected with HIV - experience from Indonesia
F. Chia Iskandar. Harapan Permata Hati Kita Foundation, Jalan PAM 2 no. 27,
Rt. 014/008, Sumur Batu, Cempaka Putih, Jakarta Pusat 10640, Indonesia
The number of drug abusers in Indonesia is estimated to be 4 million, 40% of
Injecting Drug User estimated to be HIV positive and mostly are co-infected by
HIV and Hepatitis C, and continues to rise. Counseling services and support for
IDU are needed and currently are not widely provided and available through AIDS
NGO. Besides HIV, IDU also facing other problems. Physical, mental, emotional,
spiritual and problems with addiction, Hep C and B. People worldwide still have
yet to understand the impact of co-infection of HIV and Hepatitis C.
Peer methods have already given in some recovery centers. With HIV+ IDU, peer
activities are given in a larger amount related to the status itself. Activities are also
included: positive Narcotics Anonymous, positive aftercare, counseling, seminars.
These activities are given to IDU during treatment and extending after they leave.
Family and significant others of HIV+ addicts are also involved in their own support group and provided with assistance and education in how to assist their HIV+
family members.
By making IDU into peer educators/counselors or volunteers, this will pouts their
self confidence and help them understand that their life still have value. Meeting for HIV+ IDU provide comfortness, secured for sharing openly based on
anonymity and must be kept continuous, even after they have left treatment
because issues grow overtime. Support must be available continuously to help
them to face their current issues and support needs. Meeting between PWHA

and PLWHA is giving a depth understanding. Greater involvement of PLWHA is
needed.
Involvement between HIV+ IDU in giving support is useful. Counseling by HIV+
IDU counselor is accepted easily. Empathy grows as having the same experience.
It is important to get family involved in providing support. Oven time people put
PLHWA as secondary priority as all attention and support are often focus on the
HIV+ themselves and it is time for us to start to look into PLWHA too.