https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.3446

Seroepidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Illicit Substance Users in Ahvaz, Iran: 2005-2006

authors:

avatar Seyed Mohammad Alavi 1 , * , avatar Mohammad Nadimi 2 , avatar Shahram Shokri 2 , avatar Gholamabbas Zamani 3

1) Joundishapur Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, 2)Infectious Disease Ward, Razi Hospital , Joundishapur University of Medical Sciences, alavi.seyedmohammad@yahoo.com, IR Iran
Infectious Disease Ward, Razi Hospital , Joundishapur University of Medical Sciences, IR Iran
Health Ministry of Iran, IR Iran
Jundishapur Journal of Microbiology: Vol.5, issue 3; 474-478
article type: Research Article
received: November 10, 2011
accepted: January 30, 2012

how to cite: Alavi S, Nadimi M, Shokri S, Zamani G. Seroepidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Illicit Substance Users in Ahvaz, Iran: 2005-2006. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2012;5(3): 474-478. https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.3446.

Abstract

Background: A high seroprevalence rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been reported among Iranian illicit substance users (ISUs).
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HIV and its risk factors in this population.
Patients and Methods: A total of 228 ISUs were included in this cross-sectional study, which was conducted in Ahvaz, southern Iran, from 2005 to 2006. The study population was randomly selected from available ISUs in prisons and addiction treatment centers. Subjects were tested for the presence of anti-HIV antibodies using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Drug use behaviors associated with HIV transmission (i.e., high-risk behaviors) and their current sexual risk behaviors were examined.
Results: Sixty two (27.2 %; 95 % CI: 22.5 % - 31.8 %) of the 228 men were HIV positive. The prevalence of HIV positivity in injecting, inhalant and oral users was 50.2 %, 10.4 %, and 7.6 %, respectively. HIV was positive in heroin, crack and opium users with a rate of 96.2 %, 83.3 %, and 1.4 %, respectively. Among the HIV infected cases, the vast majority had engaged in high-risk behaviors, including sharing needles (72 %), the majority of the injectors had also had unprotected sex with women (67.7 %), or with men (22.6 %).
Conclusions: Illicit substance usage is associated with an increased risk of exposure to HIV and this results in a high prevalence of HIV infection. Heroin injecting, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), having sex with multiple partners, unprotected sex, a long period in prison, early adulthood, and family contact with HIV infected cases, are considered to be the main risk factors for HIV infection.

Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
The results of this study are useful for health policy in HIV control.
Please cite this paper as:
Alavi SM, Nadimi M, Shokri S, Zamani G. Seroepidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Illicit Substance Users in Ahvaz, Iran: 2005-2006. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2012;5(3):474-8. DOI: 10.5812/jjm.3446

Copyright © 2012 Kowsar Corp. All rights reserved.

Full Text

Full text is available in PDF