No abstract

Background: About 13.2 million people worldwide inject drugs, and about 10% of all new HIV infections globally result from the use of contaminated injecting equipment by Injectable Drug Users. India is home to one of the largest HIV/AIDS epidemics in the World. In this context, there is rising concern about the large number of IDUs and the attendant risk of HIV. It was estimated that there were around 1000-1200 IDUs in Visakhapatnam. Objectives: 1)to study socio demographic profile, 2) Drug injecting behavior 3) Sexual behavior of Injectable drug users in Visakhapatnam city. Methodology: A total of 150 IDUs were contacted. A semi structured, pre tested questionnaire was administered after taking informed consent. Study variables include age, education, occupation, marital status, age at first injecting, frequency of injecting etc. Results: All 150 were males. 50% in the age group of 25-29 years, 12% were 15-19 years of age, 63% were unemployed. 39.36% were graduates. Mean age at first injection was 18.4 years; 40% inject 4-5 times per day and 32% share injecting paranephrelia. Forearm was the most preferred site. Pentazocine was most commonly used drug followed by Ketasolamine. 77% had more than one sexual partner. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that high risk behaviors are prevailing among IDUs in our area and this risk behavior is of concern and they are at risk of developing HIV and other blood borne infections.