AEGiS-08IAC: Condom usage by London injecting drug users (IDUS) in 1990 and 1991.

8th International AIDS Conference

Amsterdam, Netherlands — July 19-24, 1992

Condom usage by London injecting drug users (IDUS) in 1990 and 1991.

Int Conf AIDS 1992 Jul 19-24; 8:We59 (abstract no. WeD 1078)
Coyne PF, Donoghoe MC, Hunter GM, Stimson GV; Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, University of London, England.

OBJECTIVE: To examine condom use amongst IDUs in London 1990 and 1991. METHODOLOGY: Two major surveys of injecting drug users (IDUs) in London conducted using a structured questionnaire in 1990 (N = 534) and 1991 (N = 516) as part of a WHO collaborative study on HIV prevalence and risk behaviours. A common sampling and study methodology was employed to recruit similar samples in both years. Condom usage defined as use for penetrative intercourse (anal/vaginal) with non-commercial partners of the opposite sex and measured over the six month period prior to interview for those recruited out of treatment agencies [1990 417/534 78%; 1991 342/516 66%] and to the six month period prior to entering treatment for those recruited in treatment settings [1990 117/534 22%; 1991 174/516 34%].

RESULTS: Condom use more common and more frequent with casual rather than primary partners in both years [72% (n = 171) vs. 29% (n = 162) in 1990] and [66% (n = 287) vs. 32% (n = 303) in 1991]. Only 28% (n = 171) in 1990 and 34% (n = 162) in 1991 of IDUs with casual partners never used condoms compared with 70% (n = 287) and 68% (n = 303) of those with primary partners. Rates and frequency of condom use by men and women similar in both years, though men increased "always" use with casual partners [24% (n = 98) to 32% (n = 129)] while women decreased condom use [47% (n = 43) to 38% (n = 34)]. "Always" use with primary partners was 9% (n = 174) and 14% (n = 215) for men and 15% (n = 113 n = 88) in both years for women.

CONCLUSIONS: Condoms are commonly used by London IDUs for penetrative sex with casual partners of the opposite sex, though relatively few always use them. Use with primary partners is less common and less frequent and the majority never use condoms with primary partners. Frequent condom usage with both primary and casual partners should be encouraged to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

Keywords: AEGIS, Condoms, Risk-Taking, HIV Infections, HIV Seroprevalence, London, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Antibodies, Questionnaires, Human, Male, Female, ICA8
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