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Determinants of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Georgia

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Abstract

Injection risk practices and risky sexual behaviors place injection drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners particularly vulnerable to HIV. The purpose of the study was to describe and understand determinants of high-risk sexual behavior among IDUs in Georgia. A cross-sectional, anonymous survey assessed knowledge, behavior and HIV status in IDUs in five Georgian cities (Tbilisi, Gori, Telavi, Zugdidi, Batumi) in 2009. The study enrolled in total 1,127 (1,112 males, 15 females) IDUs. Results indicate that occasional sexual relationships are common among male IDUs, including married ones. A subsample of 661 male IDUs who reported having occasional and paid sex partners during the last 12 months was analyzed. Multivariate analysis shows that not having a regular partner in the last 12 month (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.57, 95 % CI 1.04 2.37), and using previously used needles/syringes at last injecting (aOR 2.37, 95 % I 1.10–5.11) are independent correlates of inconsistent condom use with occasional and paid sexual partners among IDUs. Buprenorphine injectors have lower odds of inconsistent condom use with occasional and paid sexual partners compared to heroin injectors (aOR 0.47, 95 % CI 0.27–0.80), and IDUs who live in Telavi are twice more likely to engage in such risky sexual behavior than capital city residents (aOR 2.55, 95 % CI 1.46–4.48). More effective programs focused on sexual risk behavior reduction strategies should be designed and implemented.

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Acknowledgments

The study fieldwork was performed as part of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria supported project “Establishment of the evidence base for the National HIV/AIDS Program by strengthening HIV/AIDS surveillance system”, the data analyses was funded by Curatio International Foundation. The authors would like to express gratitude to Tamara Sirbiladze, Lela Tavzarashvili, Lucija Zigrovic, Tamara Kasrashvili, Manana Gvaberidze, staff members of public union “Bemoni” and all study participants.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Curatio International Foundation, 37d I. Chavchavadze Avenue, 0162, Tbilisi, Georgia

    Ivdity Chikovani, Ketevan Goguadze, Natia Rukhadze & George Gotsadze

  2. WHO Collaborating Centre for Capacity Development in HIV Surveillance, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia

    Ivana Bozicevic

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  1. Ivdity Chikovani
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  2. Ketevan Goguadze
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  3. Ivana Bozicevic
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  4. Natia Rukhadze
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  5. George Gotsadze
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Correspondence to Ivdity Chikovani.

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Chikovani, I., Goguadze, K., Bozicevic, I. et al. Determinants of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Georgia. AIDS Behav 17, 1906–1913 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0296-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0296-9

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