Behavioral and Sero Prevalence Survey Among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) In Pokhara Valley November 2003

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HIV transmission among drug users is typically associated with those who share needles or syringes. Risky behavior has been defined here as needle sharing behaviors, unprotected sex with various partners and female sex workers. Injecting drug user function as a “bridging population” for HIV transmission between a core HIV risk group and the general population. The main objective of this study is “to estimate the prevalence of HIV among IDUs and assess their role in the transmission of HIV.” The study was conducted in Pokhara Valley of Kaski districts. Three hundred IDUs were sampled from 20 randomly selected sites, through respondent driven sampling (RDS). Structured questionnaires were used to collect behavioral data and clinical blood tests were done to determine HIV infection. The clinical protocol used involved collecting blood from a subject’s pricked finger, and then storing the collected blood in 3-4 capillary tubes until tests could be performed. In order to determine participants’ HIV status, two rapid test ‘Capillus’ and ‘Determine’ were conducted. In case of tie a third test “Uni-Gold TM" was performed.