Knowledge and Practices about HIV/AIDS among Injecting Drug Users of Dhaka City in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study assessed the knowledge related to HIV/AIDS and preventive practices among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is turning into one with concentrated epidemic due to the high HIV prevalence rate among IDUs (7%). IDUs are vulnerable of acquiring HIV/AIDS due to their injecting practices and high risk behaviors. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study on 200 IDUs of Dhaka city was conducted to evaluate their knowledge.

About half of the respondents (48%) were in the age group of 18-26 years. Majority (58.5%) of the respondents had poor knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Regarding practice majority (94.5%) of the IDUs shared needle, 69% had multiple sex partners, out of which only 2.5% used new disposable syringe and only 4.8% always used condom during intercourse. Socio-demographic characteristics such as age and education of the respondents were significantly associated with knowledge on HIV/AIDS among IDUs (p<0.05).

This study shows that knowledge alone is not enough to prevent HIV/AIDS but strategies to instill positive attitude and better practices for preventing HIV/AIDS transmission should be implemented.

Keywords: Knowledge, practice, HIV/AIDS, Intravenous drug users, Bangladesh