Increased Methamphetamine Use among Persons Who Inject Drugs in Hai Phong, Vietnam, and the Association with Injection and Sexual Risk Behaviors.
Jonathan Feelemyer, Huong Duong Thi, Minh Khuê Pham, Giang Hoang Thi, Nham Thi Tuyet Thanh, Khuat Thi Hai Oanh, Kamyar Arasteh, Jean Pierre Moles, Vinh Vu Hai, Roselyne Vallo, Catherine Quillet, Delphine Rapoud, Laurent Michel, Ted Hammett, Didier Laureillard, Nicolas Nagot, Don Des Jarlais, DRIVE Study Team
Author Information
Jonathan Feelemyer: a Department of Psychiatry , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , NY , USA. ORCID
Huong Duong Thi: b Department of Public Health , Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Hai Phong , Vietnam.
Minh Khuê Pham: b Department of Public Health , Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Hai Phong , Vietnam.
Giang Hoang Thi: b Department of Public Health , Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Hai Phong , Vietnam.
Nham Thi Tuyet Thanh: c Supporting Community Development Initiatives , Hanoi , Vietnam.
Khuat Thi Hai Oanh: c Supporting Community Development Initiatives , Hanoi , Vietnam.
Kamyar Arasteh: a Department of Psychiatry , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , NY , USA.
Jean Pierre Moles: d Département de l'Information Médicale, Etablissement Français du Sang , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
Vinh Vu Hai: e Dept. of Infectious and Tropical Diseases , Viet Tiep Hospital , Hai Phong , Vietnam.
Roselyne Vallo: d Département de l'Information Médicale, Etablissement Français du Sang , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
Catherine Quillet: d Département de l'Information Médicale, Etablissement Français du Sang , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
Delphine Rapoud: d Département de l'Information Médicale, Etablissement Français du Sang , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
Laurent Michel: f CESP/Inserm1018 , Pierre Nicole Center , Paris , France.
Ted Hammett: g International Health Division , Abt Associates , Cambridge , MA , USA.
Didier Laureillard: d Département de l'Information Médicale, Etablissement Français du Sang , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
Nicolas Nagot: d Département de l'Information Médicale, Etablissement Français du Sang , University of Montpellier , Montpellier , France.
Don Des Jarlais: a Department of Psychiatry , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , NY , USA. ORCID
methamphetamine use has increased significantly in Southeast Asia in the last 5-10 years, but there is little research on risk behaviors associated with the increase in this region. We evaluate injection and sexual risk behaviors associated with current methamphetamine use among heterosexual persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Hai Phong, Vietnam. We recruited 1336 PWID and assessed associations between methamphetamine use, injection and sexual risk behaviors, stratified by HIV serostatus. There were several statistically significant associations between methamphetamine use and sexual risk behaviors among HIV-positive PWID, but we did not find any associations between methamphetamine use and injection risk behaviors. methamphetamine may increase the likelihood of PWID transmitting HIV to non-injecting primary sexual partners, as it can reduce ART adherence and can lead to weakening of the immune system and increased HIV viral loads. All participants were injecting heroin, and methamphetamine use may interfere with opiate use treatment. Public health efforts should focus on the large increase in methamphetamine use and the associated sexual risk behaviors. Emphasis on sexual risk behavior, particularly among those who are HIV-positive, in conjunction with continued monitoring of ART adherence and HIV viral loads, is critical.
