Abstract

BERBESI, Dedsy; SEGURA-CARDONA, Angela; MONTOYA-VELEZ, Liliana  and  MATEU-GELABERT, Pedro. Heroin use in Colombia: behavioral risk factors. Salud Ment [online]. 2013, vol.36, n.1, pp.27-31. ISSN 0185-3325.

Objective To determine socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of HIV risk, behaviors use. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using sampling generated by the respondent; the sample consisted of 540 participants (Pereira: n=300; Medellin: n=240) over 18 years. The interview was conducted by an expert in counseling for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. Ethical requirements were met. We used the software RDSAT. Results There are extensive networks of IDUs in both cities. The population of IDUs in both cities was characterized as mostly men between 18 and 24, with secondary school, indicating very young populations. The data suggest a recent introduction of HIV into networks and a high degree of risk behavior for HIV spread in networks and used syringes received from others in the past six months. Conclusions The data in this report indicate a high risk for a possible expansion of HIV among injecting networks in Colombia supported the introduction of HIV into networks of injectors, high rates of injecting risk and a lack of injection as a practice of risk associated with HIV.

Keywords : Heroin; sexual behavior; sampling studies; HIV.

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