Risky behaviors of HIV infection among drug dependents in Egypt

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective was to study risky behaviors for HIV infection by drug dependents and assess their needs for prevention.MethodologyThis study was conducted on 188 drug addicts using a pre tested and pre designed qustionnaire sheet.ResultsThe majority of studied addicts were ageing 20–40 years (81.4%), males (88.8%), of urban residence(69.7%) and of single marital status (69.7%). Illiteracy represented 10.6% and 22.3% were unemployed. Practicing drug injection was found among 44.7% out of them 42.9% shared needles. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS was found among the majority of studied addicts but deeper knowledge about modes of transmission was defective. Only 11.2% were ever screened for HIV compared with 43.6% for viral hepatitis. Risk perception for HIV infection was found among 28.6% of injecting drug users and 22% of addicts with unsafe sexual relations. Nearly two thirds had extramarital sex with multiple partners while 66.9% reported never use condoms. Hepatitis B and C and sexually transmitted infections were significanlty higher among dependents with unsafe sexual behaviros and drug injection.ConclusionRisky behaviors for HIV infection are common among studied addicts. Their risk perception and knowledge about HIV/AIDS was, however, found defective. There is urgent need for outreach programs to increase their awarness about harm reduction meaures.

Sex and Drugs (But Not Rock and Roll): The Variation in HIV-Related Restrictions on the Entry, Stay, and Residence of Seropositive Foreigners in the Middle East and North Africa

“…In Egypt the primary mode of transmission is through heterosexual and homosexual intercourse, which accounts for nearly 90% of all HIV cases (UNFPA, 2014). An epidemiological study of Egyptian drug users reports that 42.9% of addicts share needles (Elsawy & Al-Kabash, 2011). However, in 2001 only 1.0% of HIV infections in Egypt originated from injecting drug users (IDUs) (Dewing, Pluddemann, Myers, Parry, 2006) and as of 2014, new infections by IDUs were still less than 3% (UNFPA, 2014).…”