Introduction: People who inject drugs (PWID) are a key population at risk of HIV in Iran. We measured the prevalence and covariates of HIV-related risk behaviours among PWID in Iran.
Methods: We conducted a respondent-driven bio-behavioural surveillance survey among PWID from July 2019 to March 2020 in 11 major cities. We assessed PWID's recent (i.e., last three months) HIV-related risk behaviours using a four-level categorical variable: Only unsafe injection (i.e., sharing needles/syringes or injecting equipment), only unsafe sex (i.e., unprotected sex), dual HIV risk (i.e., both unsafe injection and unprotected sex), and safe injection and sex. Data were summarized using RDS-weighted analysis. Multinomial logistic regression models were built to characterize HIV-related risk behaviours and relative risk ratio (RRR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported.
Results: Overall, 2562 men who inject drugs (MWID) were included in the regression analysis. The RDS-weighted prevalence of dual HIV risk was 1.3% (95% CI: 0.8, 1.9), only unsafe injection was 4.5%, and only unsafe sex was 11.8%. Compared to the safe injection and sex group, dual HIV risk was significantly and positively associated with multiple partnership (RRR = 15.06; 3.30, 68.73). Only unsafe injection was significantly associated with homelessness in the last 12 months (RRR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.34, 6.80). Only unsafe sex was significantly associated with multiple partnership (RRR = 6.66; 4.27, 10.38), receiving free condoms (RRR = 1.71; 1.01, 2.89), receiving free needles (RRR = 2.18; 1.22, 3.90), and self-received risk for HIV (RRR = 2.51; 1.36, 4.66). Moreover, history of HIV-testing in the last three months was significantly associated with only unsafe injection (RRR = 2.71; 1.84, 3.80). Among the 90 women who injected drugs, none reported dual HIV risk behaviours.
Discussion And Conclusions: While the low prevalence of dual HIV risk among PWID is encouraging, unprotected sexual practices among PWID is concerning. Expanding sexual health education and care services as well as tailored interventions aimed at reducing high-risk sexual activities among PWID are warranted. Additionally, tackling potential misperceptions about risk of HIV transmission among PWID in Iran is warranted.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-01107-6 | DOI Listing |
Cureus
December 2024
Infectious Diseases, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Lisbon, PRT.
Extra-cavitary primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), often associated with human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) infection, represents a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is predominantly found in individuals with severe immunosuppression. As an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated lymphoma, PEL typically manifests in the context of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, requiring tailored therapeutic approaches to manage both the lymphoma and underlying immunodeficiency. A 53-year-old male patient from Cape Verde presented with a three-day history of fever, night sweats, right iliac fossa pain, hematochezia, and an unintentional weight loss of five kilograms over the previous two months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
December 2024
Joint Biobank, Office of Human Research, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Few studies have demonstrated the interplay between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), anal human papillomavirus (HPV), and anal microbiota, especially in persons living with HIV who are men who have sex with men. We, therefore, explored these interrelationships in a cohort of persons living with HIV, mainly comprising men who have sex with men. HPV genotyping using a commercial genotyping kit and ThinPrep cytology interpreted by Bethesda systems was performed on samples from 291 patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNoncoding RNA Res
April 2025
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are classified as small, non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in diverse biological processes, including cellular development, differentiation, growth, and metabolism. MiRNAs regulate gene expression by recognizing complementary sequences within messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules. Recent studies have revealed that miR-145-5p functions as a tumor suppressor in several cancers, including lung, liver, and breast cancers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAIDS Res Ther
December 2024
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Malattie Infettive, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome, 00168, Italia.
Background: Oxidative stress (OS) is the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant molecules, in favour of oxidants, that has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in ART-treated people living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to assess factors associated with OS in virologically suppressed PLWH on long-term modern ART.
Method: In this cross-sectional study we evaluated OS by measuring both the levels of derivatives-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP).
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
December 2024
Department of Health Policy and Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
Background: There is a dearth of information regarding mpox risk perception and vaccine acceptance among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in countries with a dual burden of HIV and mpox, such as Nigeria.
Methods: We used an explanatory mixed methods design and structured questionnaires administered to a clinic-based sample of people living with HIV (n=430), followed by in-depth interviews with a purposive subsample (n=20). Data were analysed using binary logistic regression and the framework approach.
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