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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 42898832 DOI: 10.3389/adar.2026.16156

Profile of risk factors for people who inject drugs among a sample at high risk of HIV/AIDS in Kigali, Rwanda.

Adv Drug Alcohol Res 6:16156

Authors: Samuel Habimana, Zephon Lister, Emmanuel Biracyaza, Aflodis Kagaba, Albert Ndagijimana, Stefan Jansen, Eugene Rutembesa, Susanne Montgomery

Affiliations

  • School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.
  • Rwanda Resilience and Grounding Organization (RRGO), Kigali, Rwanda.
  • School of Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.
  • Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal (CRIR), Montreal, QC, Canada.
  • Health Development Initiatives (HDI), Kigali, Rwanda.
  • School of Public Health, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
  • Research and Innovation Center, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
  • Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The increasing prevalence of people who inject drugs (PWID) among populations at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a critical public health concern, particularly in Africa. This issue is associated with substantial health-related effects among populations at high risk for HIV/AIDS. Hence, our study aimed to analyze the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, alcohol and substance dependence, and depressive symptoms among populations at high risk for HIV.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 480 respondents living in Kigali, Rwanda, who self-identified as being at high risk for HIV/AIDS and were recruited via snowball sampling. Chi-square bivariate analyses were used to explore associations with PWID status. Variables that were significant in the bivariate analyses were included in a multivariate logistic regression model, in which adjusted odds ratios were used to determine factors associated with PWID status. A 95% confidence interval and a 5% significance level were used to evaluate statistical associations.

RESULTS

Of the 480 respondents, 86.25% reported symptoms of depression, and 31.5% were identified as PWID. Notably, 78% were male and were between 18 years and 45 years of age. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that participants with substance dependence [aOR = 3.547; 95% CI (1.159-10.857)] and those who used marijuana [aOR = 3.261; 95% CI (1.380-7.708)] were more likely to be PWID than their counterparts. Furthermore, individuals with depressive symptoms [aOR = 4.50; 95% CI (2.55-7.96), p = 0.018] were also more likely to be PWID than their counterparts.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicated that substance use and alcohol-related behaviors, as well as mental health concerns such as depressive symptoms, were significantly associated with injecting drug use. The findings support the promotion of harm-reduction and prevention strategies that incorporate mental health programs for populations at high risk for HIV.

MeSH

Pharmaceutical Preparations, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Signs And Symptoms, Hiv, Risk Factors, Mental Health