AEGiS-15IAC: Prevalence of HIV Infection and Concomitant Tuberculosis in A Group of Drug Abusers in the Rehabilitation Camp of Shiraz, South Iran.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

DonateNow
Print this article

Prevalence of HIV Infection and Concomitant Tuberculosis in A Group of Drug Abusers in the Rehabilitation Camp of Shiraz, South Iran.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. B10217)

Mirahmadizadeh AR, Ghane Shirazi R, Kadivar MR, Hemmati AR
Shiraz university of medical sciencse, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

Introduction: HIV infection, transmitted mainly through parenteral and sexual routes, has become one of the major health problems in Asian countries. Drug abusers comprise a major high-risk group in the general population.

METHODS: To study the prevalence of HIV infection among drug abusers, 1061 drug addicts residing in the rehabilitation camp of Shiraz in January 1997 were enrolled in a survey. Data were collected using a questionnaire and blood samples from all cases were tested by ELISA-II; positive samples were subjected to Western Blot.

RESULTS: Among 1061 addicts, 8 individuals (0.76%) had evidence of HIV infection, six out of 464 intravenous drug abusers (1.2%) and two out of 597 non-intravenous drug abusers (0.33%). Age, duration and method of drug abuse, duration of imprisonment, job and marital status had no significant relation with the HIV infection. Tuberculin skin test was negative in all cases; however, one of them had pulmonary tuberculosis.

CONCLUSION: When compared with the prevalence of HIV infection in the general population of Iran (about 2.24 per 100,000 according to a contemporaneous report), drug abusers, especially those practicing drug injection, are at a very high risk of HIV infection, and particular attention to this group is necessary if any plan to prevent the spread of infection in the society is to be successful.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prevalence, HIV Infections, Tuberculosis, Substance-Related Disorders, Tuberculin Test, Iran, rehabilitation, epidemiology, diagnosis

040711
B10217

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.