Objective: To understand the distribution and related risk factors of HIV infection among drug users in Guangxi.
Method: Three hundred and twenty five drug users were tested for serum HIV antibody, with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: One hundred and sixteen drug users (35.7%) were found to be HIV positive. The main risk factors associated with HIV infection were intravenous drug users and needle sharing among drug users. The HIV prevalence was 40.9% (114/279) among IDUs, and only 4.3% (2/46) among oral drug users. The phenomenon of sharing injecting equipment (76.7%) among intravenous drug users in Guangxi represents a very serious problem.
Conclusion: There is a high risk of HIV infection among drug users in Guangxi. Prevention programs urgently need to be implemented.