PSI Barbering Practice Exam

HIV is primarily spread through the sharing of needles by which group?

1. Alcohol users

2. Intravenous drug users

3. Recreational drug users

4. Deep tissue massage therapists

The correct answer is: Intravenous drug users

HIV is primarily spread through the sharing of needles by intravenous drug users. This group engages in the practice of injecting drugs directly into the bloodstream, which often involves the use of shared needles and other injection equipment. When one person uses a needle that has been contaminated with the blood of another individual who is HIV positive, the virus can be transmitted. This method of transmission is particularly effective because the direct entry of blood into the circulatory system allows the virus to bypass the body's natural defenses. Other groups listed may engage in substance use, but they do not typically share injection equipment to the extent seen among intravenous drug users. For example, alcohol users predominantly consume alcohol without needle use, and recreational drug users may use non-injection methods for drug consumption, such as smoking or snorting. Deep tissue massage therapists do not engage in activities that involve needle sharing and are unrelated to the transmission pathways of HIV. Therefore, intravenous drug users are the most directly associated with the primary risk factor of needle sharing leading to HIV transmission.