High-risk behaviors in HIV positive individuals in Shiraz

Background: Risk for HIV is primarily associated with two behaviors of unprotected sexual contact and injected drug use (IDU). This study was carried out to determine the demographic data and high-risk behaviors in HIV positive individuals in southern Iran. Patients and methods: Totally, 304 HIV-infected individuals referring to Center for Counseling of Behavioral Changes in Shiraz entered our study. Their demographic data and risk factors for HIV (injection addiction, unprotected sexual contact, and blood transfusion) were recorded. Blood specimens were provided and tested for HIV antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at Fars Blood Transfusion Organization were carried out. Specimens reactive upon enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were confirmed by western blot assay. Results: Study population included 269 males and 35 females mostly aged 25-34 years. Totally, 60% of females and 30.8% of males were married, while 80.3% of males and 74.3% of females belonged to poor-educated level (had not got diploma). Of 269 males, 247 (91.8%) had been jailed. The risk behaviors were as follow: 40.8% IDU, 16.4% unprotected sexual contact, 32.6% both IDU and unprotected sexual contact, 1.6% blood transfusion, 7.9% other high risk behaviors including tattooing, shared blade and knife injury and 0.7% had unknown high risk behavior. Maternal transmission was not observed. Conclusion: It seems that establishing Drop In Center for giving free disposed syringes to IDUs, training a correct injection and a good dressing service, bathroom, nutrition and methods replacement therapy would be effective means to reduce high risk behaviors