Title: Global overview of injecting drug use and HIV infection.

POPLINE Document Number: 281930

Author(s):

McCoy CB
Rodriguez F

Source citation:

Lancet, 2005 Mar 19;365:1008-1009.

Abstract:

Late in 2004, Carmen Aceijas and colleagues, on behalf of the United Nations Reference Group on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care among IDU in Developing and Transitional Countries, presented global estimates of the prevalence of injecting drug use and the prevalence of HIV in such users. These authors did a Herculean task in searching for and compiling these important estimates. Not surprisingly, data are sparse or missing for many transitional and developing countries, particularly those in Africa and the Caribbean. Also, there are no incident data reported. Nevertheless, this report presents the most recent available estimates of prevalence, which can be used to help to define the global problem and assist policymakers. Injecting drug use and HIV in transitional and developing countries has been a cause of concern since earlier in the HIV epidemic. The escalation and international diffusion of injecting drug use and the resultant effect on the HIV epidemic was reported early. In 1992, it was estimated that there were at least 5.5 million injecting drug users in 80 countries. Aceijas and colleagues estimate 13.2 million injecting drug users in at least 130 countries. A part of this increase might be due to better reporting rather than an increase in injecting drug use; however, it is credible that injecting drug use is diffusing into additional countries and poses the threat of increased incidence of HIV. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Critique
Recommendations
Policymakers
IV Drug Users
HIV Positive Persons
Risk Factors
HIV Infections
Epidemics
Health Policy
Interventions
Administrative Personnel
Organization and Administration
Drug Use and Abuse
Behavior
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Biology
Policy
Programs