HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among people who inject drugs in Iran: the 2010 National Surveillance Survey: Table 1

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of HIV and related risk behaviours among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iran.MethodsWe conducted a national cross-sectional bio-behavioural surveillance survey between March and July 2010, interviewing male PWID from a geographically dispersed sample through a facility-based sampling method.ResultsWe recruited 2480, and tested 2290 PWID. The overall prevalence of HIV was 15.2% (95% CI 9.7% to 23.1%). Among those who had injected drugs over the last month, 36.9% had used a non-sterile needle, and 12.6% had practiced shared injection. Over the past 12 months preceding the interview, 30.4% had sold sex for money, drugs, goods or a favour. In the multivariate analysis, the prevalence of HIV had a positive association with age, while having above high school education, and permanent job were protective.ConclusionsUnsafe injection, and sexual risk behaviours are still frequent and the prevalence of HIV among PWID remains high. Intensified efforts are needed to prevent the further spread of HIV among Iranian PWID and their sexual partners.

Addressing the needs of sexual partners of people who inject drugs through peer prevention programs in Iran

“…Iran has the highest proportion of heroin and opium drug dependence in the world and studies suggest that up to 300,000 People Who Inject Drugs (PWID) are living throughout the country (1,2). The prevalence of HIV among the general population in Iran is less than 0.2%, but it stands at 15.07% among injecting drug users (2).…”

Low HIV testing rate and its correlates among men who inject drugs in Iran

“…The study design and sampling procedures have been described in detail elsewhere (Khajehkazemi, et al, 2013). In brief, the survey was conducted in ten (out of 31) provinces representing a geographically diverse sample.…”

“…Unsafe and shared injections among PWID account for over two-third of the new HIV infections in Iran. A number of studies across differe nt provinces suggest an HIV prevalence of around 13-15% among PWID (Khajehkazemi, et al, 2013;Rahimi-Movaghar, Amin-Esmaeili, Haghdoost, Sadeghirad, & Mohraz, 2012).…”

Iran’s shift in family planning policies: concerns and challenges

“…Accordingly, this could lead to an increase in the socio-economic gap between the privileged and the impoverished in the long run. Vulnerable women (including female sex workers and female intravenous drug users), who rely mostly on public services with regards to contraceptives and FP services, are another important group of population whose needs should be taken into account (17)(18)(19). Restricting the access of such important populations to contraception, could render tons of money and years of effort spent on promoting safe sex and reducing sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), utterly useless (20).…”