High HIV-1 Prevalence Among Metamphetamine Users
in Central Thailand, 1999-2000
SUTHON VONGSHEREE, B.Sc., M.Sc.*,
NUANJUN RUCHUSATSAWAT, B.Sc., M.Sc.*,
WIROJ PUANGTABTIM, B.Sc.*,
PATHOM SAWANPANYALERT, M.D.*
PHONGNUWAT SRI-NGAM, Cert. Med. Sci.*,
HAN SA THAISRI, B.Sc., M.Sc. *,
TIPWAN PHUTIPRAWAN, B.Sc.**,
Affiliation : * National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, 11000,
** Thanyarak Hospital, Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Pathum Thani, 12000 Thailand.
AbstractHIV -1 prevalence was studied in 1,890 metamphetamine users from Thanyarak Hospital
from 1999 to 2000. 64.8 per cent positive urine metamphetamine and 2.3 per cent positive urine
opiate were observed. The most common route of the drug intake was 93.92 per cent inhalation.
HIV -1 prevalence was 2.44 per cent (95% Confidence interval; 1.65-3.18% ). 44 out of 46 HIV -1
infected cases were typeable as 32 (72.73%) subtype E and the rest of subtype B'. Active opiate
users had a higher rate of HIV-1 infection, 15.91 per cent, compared to 2.11 per cent of the non-
opiate users (Fisher's exact test p=0.0002). This group of metamphetamine users is important to
public health and more attention on intervention efforts towards HIV infection is urgently needed.
Keywords : Metamphetamine Users, HIV-1 Prevalence, SubtypeB'/E, New High-Risk People
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