HIV in Estonia

High HIV prevalence among injecting drug users in Estonia: implications for understanding the risk environment

Platt, Lucy a; Bobrova, Natalia b; Rhodes, Tim a; Uuskula, Anneli c; Parry, John V d; Ruutel, Kristi e; Talu, Ave e; Abel, Katri e; Rajaleid, Kristiina c; Judd, Ali f

AIDS. 20(16):2120-2123, October 24, 2006.

We found a high prevalence of HIV among injecting drug users (IDU) 54% in Tallinn and 90% in Kohtla Jarve, Estonia. Risk factors for HIV in Tallinn included use of the drug 'china white', being registered as an IDU at a drug treatment clinic, and sharing injecting equipment with sex partners. Differences existed in risk behaviour between the cities. An urgent scale-up of HIV prevention is needed. It is also important to explore how local 'risk environments' mediate the risk of HIV transmission.

(C) 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.