The rapid spread of HIV in many Eastern European countries has been linked to an increase in injecting drug use among young people. Non-injecting drug use has also increased among young people in this region. Non-injecting drug users are both at risk of initiating injecting drug use and of acquiring through sexual transmission not only HIV but also other sexually transmitted infections. Research is needed into the factors that increase the risk of HIV transmission among young drug users in this region. Such research is needed not only in countries where there is considerable HIV infection among IDUs, but also in countries, such as Hungary, which may be in a pre-epidemic phase, i.e. where HIV prevalence is currently low, but where behavioral and network risk is common among young drug users. In the proposed research, we plan to conduct a pilot study of HIV risk among young drug users between the ages of 16 and 30 in Budapest, the largest city in and the capital of Hungary.
The specific aims of the study are to: 1. use ethnographic methods to explore (i) the drug use and sexual risk behaviors and practices of young drug users, (ii) their risk and social networks, especially injecting and sexual mixing patterns with people from high HIV prevalence groups or countries; (iii) the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and peer norms of young drug users about HIV risk and prevention and, (iv) among young drug injectors, the behaviors, network characteristics, personal biographies and circumstances that may be linked to their initiation of injecting drug use; 2. develop and administer a structured questionnaire to a small sample of young drug users that will utilize questions that are based on the findings from the ethnographic study and questionnaires used in our previous studies; 3. develop and test methods for sampling and recruiting """"""""hidden populations"""""""" of young drug users. The ethnographic part of the study will utilize focus groups, in-depth ethnographic interviews, and observational techniques. In addition, existing secondary data will be collected and synthesized. A structured pilot questionnaire and methodology for the sampling and recruiting of study participants will be developed. Procedures for HIV, HBV and HCV testing and counseling will also be developed and assessed. All data collection instruments, protocols, reports, presentations and papers will be both in Hungarian and English. HIV prevention in Eastern Europe needs to target populations that are the most vulnerable for becoming infected, particularly young injecting and non-injecting drug users. This study will provide new knowledge on young drug users in Hungary and will also contribute to advancing research methods and capability in other Eastern European countries.
| Racz, J; Gyarmathy, V A; Neaigus, A et al. (2007) Injecting equipment sharing and perception of HIV and hepatitis risk among injecting drug users in Budapest. AIDS Care 19:59-66 |
| Gyarmathy, V Anna; Neaigus, Alan; Ujhelyi, Eszter et al. (2006) Strong HIV and hepatitis disclosure norms and frequent risk behaviors among Hungarian drug injectors. Drug Alcohol Depend 82 Suppl 1:S65-9 |
| Gyarmathy, V Anna; Neaigus, Alan (2005) Marginalized and socially integrated groups of IDUs in Hungary: potential bridges of HIV infection. J Urban Health 82:iv101-12 |
| Gyarmathy, V Anna; Racz, Jozsef; Neaigus, Alan et al. (2004) The urgent need for HIV and hepatitis prevention in drug treatment programs in Hungary. AIDS Educ Prev 16:276-87 |
