April 25th, 2013 -- Research presented during the annual British HIV Association (BHIVA) conference in Manchester shows increases in the number of men injecting image- or performance-enhancing drugs. Of the men surveyed, it was found that 1.5% had antibodies to HIV, which is significantly higher than the general population in the UK. A further 5.5% and 8.8% were also shown to have had antibodies to Hepatitis C and B, respectively.
This is only the fourth ever study conducted on the link between injecting steroid users and HIV. Considering 23,000 more people injected anabolic steroids than heroin in the UK last year, highlights the need for further research in ways this group can be better targeted by prevention strategies.
Other research was conducted that gave an insight into the profiles and behaviour of the participants that may account for the infection rate of HIV via routes other than needle sharing. It was found 20% had five or more female partners in the last year, 8% had ten or more female partners, and only 20% having reported consistently using a condom in the last year. Although this shows behaviours that put the participants in higher risk of transmitting HIV, only 17% had visited a sexual health clinic and only 31% had ever been tested for HIV.
Concluding the presentation of his results, the lead researcher emphasised the need for care to be taken when interpreting the findings; because of the sample size, and additional research suggesting other behaviours, not linked to injecting, that are putting participants at risk of acquiring HIV. However, the research and survey results highlight the need for greater attention to be given on the link between HIV and injecting anabolic steroids users.
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