Recent HIV testing and associated factors among people who use drugs in Cambodia: a national cross-sectional study

Objective To estimate the prevalence of HIV testing and examine factors associated with recent HIV testing among people who use drugs (PWUD) in Cambodia. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Twelve major provinces with a high burden of HIV and drug use in Cambodia. Participants This study included 1677 PWUD recruited using a peer-based social network recruitment method. Participants' selection criteria included being at least 18 years old and using any illicit drugs via any administration routes in the past 12 months. Primary outcome measure Recent HIV testing, defined as having an HIV test in the past 6 months. Results The median age of the participants was 28 (IQR 22-34) years, and 56.6% were men. The prevalence of lifetime and recent HIV testing was 70.7% and 42.9%, respectively. After adjustment in multivariable logistic regression analysis, recent HIV testing remained positively associated with being female (adjusted OR (AOR) 1.55, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.04) or third gender identity (AOR 2.06, 95% CI 1.11 to 3.80), having ever been to a drug rehabilitation centre (AOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.13 to 2.29), having used any HIV services in the past 6 months (AOR 7.37, 95% CI 5.61 to 9.69), having received HIV education in the past 3 months (AOR 3.40, 95% CI 2.63 to 4.40) and having self-perception of higher HIV risk (AOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.73). Conclusions Recent HIV test uptake among PWUD in Cambodia was suboptimal. This study highlights the roles of outreach HIV education and services in promoting regular HIV testing among PWUD. Strengthening the coordinated effort of government agencies and local civil society organisations to prioritise expanding community-based peer-driven interventions to reach out to this hidden population is warranted.

Automated summary

The study found that more than 70% of PWUD in Cambodia have received HIV testing in their lifetime, but recent HIV testing rate was only 42.9%. Factors associated with recent HIV testing included gender, history of drug rehabilitation, use of HIV services, recent HIV education, and self-perception of higher HIV risk.