Exploratory analysis of the association between new-type drug use and sexual transmission of HIV in China.

BackgroundA recent assessment by the Chinese government showed that sexual transmission is becoming the main mode of spreading human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China. The annual report on drug abuse demonstrated a seven-fold increase of use of Amphetamine Type Stimulants (ATS), which has been strongly correlated with sexual risk-taking behaviors, in 2007 than that in 2003. These observations suggest that ATS use may have contributed to the rapid increase in sexual transmission of HIV in China.ObjectiveThe present study aims to investigate the potential association between new drug users and transmission modes.MethodsPartial Least Squares Path Model and Partial Least Squares Regression Models have been used to evaluate the potential correlation between ATS users and the sexual transmission of HIV.ResultsOur analysis indicates that HIV infection by drug use mode mainly results from heroin users (R = .5). ATS (R = -.9) and other drug users (R = -.4) have a negative relationship with HIV infection by drug use mode. However, for HIV infection by sexual transmission mode, ATS (R = 5.5) and other drug users (R = .6) show a positive association. ATS, especially, presents a strongly association with the sexual transmission of HIV.ConclusionThe study results suggest that ATS users significantly contribute to the sexual transmission of HIV.Scientific significanceIt is helpful to evaluate and predict the potential risk factors related with epidemic of HIV in China and provide theoretical evidence for HIV/AIDS health officers and policy makers to better construct target interventions and implement control measures.