Population Council Research that makes a difference

Abstract

Population-based estimates of prevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV and HIV-related risk behaviors among male injecting drug users in Lagos, Nigeria (PDF) 
Presentation at the 6th International AIDS Society Conference, Rome, Italy, 17-20 July
Tun,Waimar; Adebajo,Sylvia; Abiodun,Lolade; Karlyn,Andrew; Vu,Lung; Anyanti,Jennifer; Issa,B.Kawu; Sheehy,Meredith
Publication date: 2011

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Presentation given by Population Council researcher, Dr. Sylvia Adebajo, at the 6th International AIDS Society Conference, Rome, Italy, 17-20 July 2011. Little is known about HIV and hepatitis B and C infections among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Africa, including Nigeria. Council researchers conducted a small survey among IDUs in Lagos to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for HIV and hepatitis B and C. Findings showed that the prevalence of HIV was low among IDUs. Widespread availability of sterile needles/syringes at pharmacies is likely keeping an explosive HIV epidemic at bay and must continue. There was a moderate prevalence of hepatitis B and C, and hepatitis B was associated with unsafe sex and frequency of drug injection. Over half of those surveyed had never tested for HIV, even though 42% had unprotected sex during their last sexual encounter; 18% had multiple sexual partners in the past two months; and 9% have shared needles/syringes before. More monitoring of and targeted interventions toward IDUs are needed to avoid an increase in HIV infections among this marginalized group.

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