In the current study, the researchers sought to facilitate social and policy analyses of HIV epidemics by estimating HIV prevalence rates among injection drug users (IDUs) in 95 large U.S. metropolitan areas.

To calculate HIV prevalence rates among IDUs in the metropolitan areas, researchers averaged two estimates: the first, based on regression adjustments to CDC Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing data, and the second based on the ratio of the number of HIV-positive IDUs to the number of IDUs living in the metropolitan area. The authors then assessed the validity of the resulting estimates.

HIV prevalence rates ranged from 2 percent to 28 percent (median 5.9 percent; interquartile range 4.0-10.2 percent). "These HIV prevalence rates correlated with similar estimates calculated for 1992 and with two theoretically related phenomena: laws against over-the-counter purchase of syringes and income inequality," the researchers noted.

Despite limitations in their accuracy, these estimates can be used for structural analyses of the correlates, predictors and consequences of HIV prevalence rates among IDUs in metropolitan areas. They can also be used for assessing and targeting the service needs of IDUs, concluded the researchers.

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