HIV Infection in Injecting Drug Users

Abstract

Injecting drug users (IDUs) living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have been major vectors of HIV infection transmission. Rates of HIV seropositivity are higher in communities with greater prevalence of IDUs, owing to unsafe injection and sex practices. Despite effective anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and behavioural interventions in reducing the transmission of HIV, the healthcare service utilization has been poor among IDUs. IDU population need to be encompassed in early testing for seropositivity and prompt inclusion in treatment process which includes provision of ART, substance abuse treatment, harm reduction measures, counselling and other behavioural interventions through outreach programmes.