Changing behavioural pattern of drug users in Hong Kong 1991-1995

FRANÇAIS :
Dans le but d'analyser l'évolution des caractéristiques démographiques et des comportements d'usagers de drogue à Hong-Kong, les dossiers des patients masculins du Centre Shek Kwu Chau de traitement et de réinsertion des toxicomanes ont été examinés sur 5 ans : trajectoire de toxicomanie, mode d'administration des drogues, type de drogues, pratiques d'injection et de partage de matériel, et coûts liés à la drogue. Pour 10353 admissions enregistrées entre 1991 et 1995 (dont 27,6% de nouvelles admissions), l'héroïne est la plus consommée et une augmentation importante des nouvelles admissions caractérise les 13-19 ans. Le partage des seringues passe de plus de 20% en 1991 à moins de 5% en 1995, et le partage du matériel d'injection est plus courant chez les plus jeunes patients et diminue nettement chez les 20-39 ans. La prévalence des comportements à risque semble avoir diminué, permettant de maintenir un faible taux VIH chez les toxicomanes.
ENGLISH :
To analyse the temporal changes in demography and drug-taking behaviours of a cohort of drug users in Hong Kong, records of Shek Kwu Chau Treatment and Rehabilitation Center's male clients were analyzed over a 5-year period : duration of drug-taking, route(s) of drug administration, type of drugs abused, practice of injection and needle-sharing, and expenditure on drugs. A total of 10353 admissions were recorded from 1991 to 1995, of whom 27.6% were new admissions. There was a significant increase in new admission in those between the age of 13 and 19. Almost all clients were heroin users. The needle-sharing rates fell from over 20% in 1991 to <5% in 1995. Needle-sharing was more common in younger clients. The decline in the rate of needle-sharing was especially significant in those between the age of 20 and 39. The proportion of young drug users in the study population in Hong Kong has risen over the 5-year period. The prevalence of high-risk drug-taking behaviors had declined, which might have contributed to low HIV rates in the community. (From authors'abstract)