High Risky Behaviors among Intravenous Drug Users in Isfahan, Iran: A Study for Hepatitis C Harm Reduction Programs

Objectives: intravenous drug users (ivdus) who shareneedles/syringes and practice sexual behaviors, are the most importantgroup in the transmission of blood-borne infection diseases such ashepatitis c virus (hcv). therefore identification of prevalent highriskybehaviors among ivdus to detect the most route of transmissionamong them is essential to develop harm reduction programs amongivdus and decrease hcv transmission from them to community.methods: the cross-sectional study was carried out on 1510 intravenousdrug users from november 2008 to february 2009 in isfahanprovince, iran. after obtaining consent form from participants, informationwas collected by interviewer-administered validated questionnaire.the data was analyzed with descriptive statistical methods byspss software, version 15.results: 1510 ivdus participated in the study with the mean age32.16 ± 8.26. 66.4% of participants had a history of illegal sexual activity.among male ivdus who had illegal sexual contact, 40.6% reportedhaving homosexual contact and 36.2% of them have used condom intheir contact. also 57.7% had sexual contact with female sex workers.83.5% of ivdus reported having multiple sexual partners, and 30.9%had ivdus sexual partners. the mean number of injection and durationof injection among ivdus were 75.12 ± 95.51 times per monthand 12.34 ± 7.53 years respectively. 36.9% of subjects have reportedsharing needles/syringes.conclusions: according to the high prevalence of unprotected sexualcontacts and unsafe injection among ivdus, effectiveness interventionsand harm reduction programs are necessary to prevent spread ofblood-borne infection diseases particularly hcv. with reduction ofrisky behaviors and consequently decrease of spread of hcv, theseprograms benefit both drug users and society.