Abstract

Objective: To investigate seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among injection drug users (IDUs) at District Sanghar, Pakistan.
Methodology: A total of 119 blood samples were collected from IDUs shooting drugs at different sites across District Sanghar. Demographic data regarding age, gender, marital status, education, and occupation were collected. Presence of HIV was detected using 4th Generation immunochromatographic Alere Combo kits Ag/Ab HIV-1/2 as per manufacturer’s instructions.
Results: We found that 24(20.17%) samples were positive for HIV infection. Among them, male IDUs were 22(18.49%), while 2(1.68%) were female IDUs. Taluka-wise frequency of HIV among IDUs revealed that highest cases 10.08% (n=12) in taluka Tando Adam, followed by taluka Shahdadpur having 5.88% (n=07) cases. Taluka Sanghar had 3.36% (n=04) cases while least number of positive cases was found in taluka Sinjhoro 0.8% (n=01).
Conclusion: HIV was more prevalent in male IDUs as compared to female. High prevalence of HIV among IDUs in district Sanghar is alarming and warrants urgent attention of health professionals for strict measures to control the transmission of HIV in IDUs and general population.

Key words: Seroprevalence, injecting drug users, HIV, AIDS.