Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

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What is the primary method of HIV transmission among intravenous drug users?

Sharing needles
Sexual contact
Mother to child
Blood transfusion

The correct answer is: Sharing needles

The primary method of HIV transmission among intravenous drug users is sharing needles. This practice facilitates direct contact with blood, which is the primary medium through which the HIV virus is transmitted. When individuals share needles, they expose themselves to blood that may contain the virus from a previous user, significantly increasing the risk of infection. This method of transmission is particularly concerning in populations that use injectable drugs because it not only transmits HIV but can also spread other bloodborne pathogens, such as hepatitis B and C, compounding public health challenges. Understanding this mode of transmission is crucial for implementing harm reduction strategies, such as needle exchange programs, which aim to lower the incidence of HIV within these communities. Other modes of transmission are less relevant for this group; for instance, sexual contact, mother to child transmission, and blood transfusion represent significant means of HIV transmission in different contexts but are not the primary concern for intravenous drug users.