Enrollment Characteristics and Risk Behaviors of Injection Drug Users Participating in the Bangkok Tenofovir Study, Thailand
2011

Enrollment Characteristics and Risk Behaviors of Injection Drug Users in the Bangkok Tenofovir Study

Sample size: 2413 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Martin Michael, Vanichseni Suphak, Suntharasamai Pravan, Sangkum Udomsak, Chuachoowong Rutt, Mock Philip A., Leethochawalit Manoj, Chiamwongpaet Sithisat, Kittimunkong Somyot, van Griensven Frits, McNicholl Janet M., Paxton Lynn, Choopanya Kachit

Primary Institution: Thailand Ministry of Public Health – US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Collaboration, Nonthaburi, Thailand

Hypothesis

Does pre-exposure prophylaxis with tenofovir reduce the risk of HIV infection among injecting drug users?

Conclusion

Participants in the Bangkok Tenofovir Study reported significantly lower rates of injecting drugs and sharing needles compared to those in the previous Vaccine Trial, suggesting a lower expected HIV incidence.

Supporting Evidence

  • 4094 IDUs were screened and 2413 enrolled in the study.
  • 80% of participants were male.
  • 63% reported injecting drugs in the 3 months before enrollment.
  • Participants were less likely to inject drugs and share needles compared to those in the previous Vaccine Trial.

Takeaway

The study looked at people who use drugs and found that those in the new study are less likely to share needles or inject drugs than those in an earlier study, which is good news for preventing HIV.

Methodology

The study was a phase-3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 17 drug-treatment clinics in Bangkok, using standardized questionnaires to collect data.

Potential Biases

Potential under-reporting of stigmatized behaviors due to the nature of self-reporting.

Limitations

Self-reported data may lead to under-reporting of risk behaviors, and different data collection methods were used between the two studies.

Participant Demographics

Median age of participants was 31 years, 80% were male, and 48% had a primary school education or less.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Confidence Interval

Not provided

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0025127

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