Abstract

Colombia has experienced a significant increase in the incidence of HIV in the past decade attributed to the alarming rise of heroin injection. However, there is limited information about the level of HIV knowledge and the perception of risk among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Latin America. Further data is needed to optimally inform HIV prevention efforts in the region. The present study explores the level of HIV knowledge and risk perception, and their potential association with risk practices among PWIDs in Colombia. The survey instrument included the 18-item HIV Knowledge Questionnaire and the Risk Assessment Battery. Among the 190 respondents who completed the survey, approximately half demonstrated a limited knowledge of HIV (51.1%, n = 97). Misconceptions regarding the mechanisms of HIV transmission and the usefulness of female condoms were common. Homelessness was associated with limited HIV knowledge (p = .006, OR 2.62 IC 95% 1.31–5.25). Lastly, HIV knowledge was associated with safer injection behaviors, but was not related to safe sexual practices. Perceived risk of HIV exposure was not related to the level of HIV knowledge, drug-related, or sexual risk behaviors. Overall, our results indicate that misconceptions about the mechanisms of HIV transmission persist among PWIDs in Colombia, particularly among unstably housed respondents. Further efforts are needed to address social determinants of health, including housing access, among this vulnerable population to reduce the risks of HIV exposure.

摘要

由于海洛因注射的惊人增长，哥伦比亚在过去十年中经历了艾滋病毒发病率的显着增加。然而，关于拉丁美洲注射吸毒者 (PWID) 的艾滋病毒知识水平和风险认知的信息有限。需要进一步的数据来为该地区的艾滋病毒预防工作提供最佳信息。本研究探讨了艾滋病毒知识水平和风险认知，以及它们与哥伦比亚 PWID 风险行为的潜在关联。调查工具包括 18 项 HIV 知识问卷和风险评估小组。在完成调查的 190 名受访者中，大约一半表现出对 HIV 的了解有限（51.1%，n = 97)。对 HIV 传播机制和女用避孕套有用性的误解很常见。无家可归与有限的 HIV 知识有关 ( p  = .006, OR 2.62 IC 95% 1.31–5.25)。最后，艾滋病毒知识与更安全的注射行为有关，但与安全的性行为无关。感知到的 HIV 暴露风险与 HIV 知识水平、药物相关或性风险行为无关。总体而言，我们的研究结果表明，哥伦比亚的 PWID 中仍然存在对 HIV 传播机制的误解，特别是在居住不稳定的受访者中。需要进一步努力解决这些弱势群体的健康问题社会决定因素，包括获得住房的机会，以降低接触艾滋病毒的风险。