[The risk factors for the transmission of HIV infection among intravenous narcotic users in Russia].

Blood sera (316,281 specimens) from registered drug and toxic substance addicts were examined revealing no subjects seropositive to HIV. A special epidemiological questionnaire was developed and used for questioning of 86 drug addicts using drugs prepared domestically by the intravenous route. The group included 56 men and 30 women varying in age from 17 to 33 years. Lack of registered cases of HIV infection among drug addicts in Russia was explained by some peculiar features of using drugs. Intravenous inoculation of drugs with the same syringe and needle without sterilization, and large numbers of sexual contacts without the use of condoms suggest that as soon as HIV gets into this environment it will spread very rapidly.