scholarly journals Association between expatriation and HIV awareness and knowledge among injecting drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional comparison of former refugees to those remaining during conflict

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine S Todd ◽  
Abdullah MS Abed ◽  
Steffanie A Strathdee ◽  
Paul T Scott ◽  
Boulos A Botros ◽  
...  
1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 738-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bloor ◽  
Martin Frischer ◽  
Avril Taylor ◽  
Robert Covell ◽  
David Goldberg ◽  
...  

This is an early report of data from an on-going, repeated, cross-sectional study of a community sample of Glasgow injecting drug users. Although HIV was first detected among Glasgow's drug injectors in 1985, data from the first two years of our annual samples (1990 and 1991) indicate that HIV prevalence continues to be low in this population, in the order of 1 or 2 per cent. Possible reasons for this apparent continuing low prevalence are examined. It is suggested that substantial risk reduction – reductions in injection equipment-sharing, reductions in numbers of sharing partners and restrictions in social circles of sharing partners – may have been sufficient reasons, in conjunction with limited contributions to near-stabilisation from the disproportionate attrition of the numerator population through death and cessation of injecting.


2008 ◽  
Vol 137 (7) ◽  
pp. 980-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. BALOGUN ◽  
N. MURPHY ◽  
S. NUNN ◽  
A. GRANT ◽  
N. J. ANDREWS ◽  
...  

SUMMARYSurveillance reports and prevalence studies have indicated that injecting drug users (IDUs) contribute more to the hepatitis C epidemic in the United Kingdom than any other risk group. Information on both the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis C in IDUs is therefore essential to understanding the epidemiology of this infection. The prevalence of hepatitis C in specimens from the Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme collected in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 was determined using residual syphilis serology specimens from IDUs attending 15 genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in and outside London. These specimens were tested for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Using this cross-sectional design, anti-HCV-negative specimens were tested for HCV RNA to identify incident infections during the ‘window’ period of infection, and thus to estimate HCV incidence. Results of the multivariable analysis showed that there was marked variation in prevalence by clinic (P<0·0001) and age (P<0·0001). Overall the majority of infections were in males and the overall prevalence in injectors declined over the study period from 36·9% to 28·7%. The annual incidence in these injectors was estimated as being 3·01% (95% CI 1·25–6·73). Over the study period HCV incidence decreased by 1·2% per year. Genotyping of the incident infections identified the most common genotype as type 1 with type 3 being more frequently seen after 1998. Of the prevalent infections, genotype 1 was the most common. The study has confirmed a higher prevalence of anti-HCV in IDUs in the London area compared to those outside London. How representative of the current injecting drug user population are IDUs attending GUM clinics is unclear. Even so, such studies allow prevalence and incidence to be estimated in individuals who have ever injected drugs and inform ongoing public health surveillance.


1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Rezza ◽  
Stefania Salmaso ◽  
Damiano Abeni ◽  
Giovanna Brancato ◽  
Alessandra Anemona ◽  
...  

We conducted a study to describe current patterns of drug-related behaviors, and to identify characteristics that may distinguish injecting drug users entering treatment from those out of treatment, in five Italian cities. Overall, 1,180 subjects were recruited — 568 entering treatment and 612 out of treatment. Male to female ratio was 6.6:1. The median age was similar in the two groups. A high proportion of injecting drug users recruited out of treatment had been in treatment at least once. HIV prevalence among injecting drug users entering treatment was not higher than that of those who were out of treatment. Furthermore, a large proportion of injecting drug users who still were out of treatment reported having adopted safe behaviors. The results of the study emphasize the need to implement outreach programs aimed at harm reduction.


1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 288-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Frischer ◽  
M Bloor ◽  
S Green ◽  
D Goldberg ◽  
R Covell ◽  
...  

Evidence of reduced levels of needle sharing among injecting drug users (IDUs) has largely been confined to IDUs attending needle exchanges or receiving treatment. In this paper we present the results of a serial cross-sectional study of needle sharing conducted in Glasgow using a multisite sampling strategy. Of the estimated 9400 IDUs in the city, 503 were interviewed in 1990 and 535 in 1991. The proportion of IDUs reporting injecting with, or passing on used needles and syringes in the last 6 months fell significantly as did the number of individuals from whom equipment was received or passed on to. The impact of this level of sharing has been limited in terms of HIV transmission; the prevalence of HIV among the 1990 sample was 2.0% and 1.1% for the 1991 sample. However, the fact that a third of IDUs in Glasgow continue to inject, even occasionally, with used equipment gives cause for concern in view of the other pathologies known to be associated with poor injecting hygiene.


2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (10) ◽  
pp. 1332-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul Ambekar ◽  
Ravindra Rao ◽  
Alok Agrawal ◽  
Shrigopal Goyal ◽  
Ashwani Mishra ◽  
...  

1994 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Davoli ◽  
F Forastiere ◽  
D D Abeni ◽  
E Rapiti ◽  
C A Perucci

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khodabakhsh Ahmadi ◽  
Majid Rezazade ◽  
Mohammad Nafarie ◽  
Babak Moazen ◽  
Mosaieb Yarmohmmadi Vasel ◽  
...  

Purpose. To assess the prevalence and associated factors of unprotected sex with injecting drug users (IDUs) among a sample of female sex workers (FSWs) in Iran.Methods. This cross-sectional study included 144 FSWs who were interviewed as a part of Unhide HIV Risk Study, a national behavioral survey focusing on various high-risk populations, including IDUs, FSWs, and Men who have Sex with Men (MSMs) in 2009. The survey was conducted in eight provinces in Iran using respondent-driven sampling. Participants’ sociodemographic status, HIV knowledge, and HIV attitude were analyzed via logistic regression to determine the predictors of unprotected sex with IDU(s) during the past month.Results. Nineteen percent of FSWs reported at least one occasion of unprotected sex with IDU(s) in the month preceding the study. Higher educational level (OR=−0.653, 95%CI=-1.192to −0.115), perceived HIV risk (OR=−1.047, 95%CI=-2.076to −0.019), and perceived family intimacy during childhood (OR=−1.104, 95%CI=-1.957to −0.251) were all independently associated with lower odds of having unprotected sex with IDU(s) in the month preceding the study. Age, marital status, living condition, HIV knowledge, and perceived behavioral control did not affect the odds of FSWs having sex with IDUs.Conclusion. Perceived HIV risk, which is a modifiable factor, seems to be a promising target for harm reduction interventions amongst Iranian female sex workers. Data presented here may aid in reducing or eliminating the role of sex workers as a bridge for HIV transmission from IDUs to the general population in Iran.


BMJ Open ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. e002747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Mon Saw ◽  
Junko Yasuoka ◽  
Thu Nandar Saw ◽  
Krishna C Poudel ◽  
Soe Tun ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Onchong'a Mainga ◽  
Odari Okoth Eddy ◽  
Borus Kimutai Peter ◽  
Ole Kwallah Allan ◽  
Murith Gikunda James ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Hepatitis C virus is a major global health problem estimated to infect over 170 million people globally with the most common route of infection being injecting drug use (IDU). Treatment for HCV infection has traditionally been shown to be genotype specific; however the available drugs are still expensive and out of reach in many developing countries. To improve on monitoring, there is need to continuously document the genotypic burden and epidemiology in different populations arises. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the circulating genotypes and link the data to the socio-demographics of injecting drug users in Kilifi County along the Kenyan coastline. Methods: Using a random sampling method, this was a cross-sectional prospective study conducted among 127 injecting drug users, whereby ethical clearance was sought from Kenyatta National Hospital/ University of Nairobi Ethical and Research review committee (KNH/UON-ERC), and Reference number P366/07/2017 on 25 th September 2017. Serology for HCV was done followed by nucleic acid amplification and eventual genotyping. Socio-demographic data was collected using questionnaire administered at the sites. Results: A total of 28 (23 males and 5 females) samples out of 127 samples were positive for HCV giving a prevalence of 22.1%. The modal age group was 25- 49 years. Of the positive samples, 11 were amplified by PCR, all from the male IDUs. Prevalent genotypes included genotype 1a (13%) and genotype 4a (87%). Both genotype 1a and 4a were only found in males. Conclusion: Although it is the first time to report HCV4a in Kilifi town and Mtwapa as compared to Watamu and Malindi which had both HCV1a and HCV4a. Tourists born in countries where HCV prevalence is high are supposed to be screened before accessing entry to Kilifi County. No clinical trial was conducted. The study reveals the burden of HCV infection among IDUs in Kilifi County. The Government should formulate policies for intervention on testing and treatment of HCV in Kilifi County targeting IDUs in order to minimize spread to other populations.


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