Young and recent‐onset injecting drug users are at higher risk for HIV

Abstract

Important proportions of drug users are young or have recently started injecting. HIV prevalence is relatively high among young and recent-onset IDUs. Recent onset of injection is an independent predictor for HIV seroconversion. Our observations may be explained by non-random patterns of borrowing used needles/syringes. Recent-onset IDUs should be approached more actively for HIV counselling and testing.