Comparison the effect of HIV harm-reduction program among female IDUs in Taiwan

Background: Taiwan has 18,378 persons infected with HIV, among them, 34.44% were injecting drug users (IDUs), which is the most high-risk group. There was limited information among female IDUs due to rare female HIV-1 infection in Taiwan. Thus, the objectives of this study were to investigate changing of risk factors among female IDUs in 2004-2006. Methods: This is a survey carried out in female IDUs of prison in Taiwan. All participants were collected risk factors of HIV/AIDS questionnaires. Data collection was developed in 2004 and 2006, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Results: The results showed that after harm-reduction program conducted, the female HIV-negative IDUs in 2004 had a worse knowledge than in 2006 about mother-child vertical transmission question (correct rate: 85.7% to 71.4%). On the other hand, in 2006, female HIV-negative IDUs had significant higher self-awareness of HIV-infection than in 2004 (71.4% vs. 19.0%). However, sharing needles was more common among female HIV-negative IDUs group in 2006 (2004: 19.0%; 2006: 54.2%). But among sharing needles with sex partner, female HIV-negative and HIV-positive IDUs in 2004 were more common than in 2006. In addition, compared to HIV-positive IDUs, 88.6% of the HIV-positive IDUs in 2006 reported re-using their needles higher than in 2004 (57.1%). Conclusion: After two years of harm reduction program process in Taiwan, this study provide the evidence of HIV-positive IDUs with well education in this prevention program, and also alert the lack of drug use behaviors among HIV-negative IDUs.