Abstract

Within 5 years, 5 million Russians may be infected with HIV. Currently, injection drug use is the major risk factor for HIV. As Russia's alcohol consumption per capita is among the highest in the world, alcohol-associated behaviours may be an important contributor to the HIV epidemic. Our objective was to examine the prevalence of HIV infection among drug- and alcohol-dependent patients in a regional narcology hospital and in the general population in Leningrad. All patients in the Narcology Hospital, Leningrad Regional Center of Addictions (LRCA), were tested for HIV antibody between 1997 and 2001. We reviewed these clinical records (i.e. serostatus, gender, age, and addiction) and data from the HIV/AIDS Center in the Leningrad Region (1997-2001). From 1997 to 2001, HIV prevalence at the LRCA increased from 0 to 12.7% overall, 33.4% among drug-dependent patients and 1.2% among alcohol-dependent patients. During the same 5-year period (1997-2001), 2826 persons were registered at the HIV/AIDS Center: 6, 6, 51, 780, and 1983 persons in 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. HIV infection is exploding in the Leningrad Region, currently in injection drug users (IDUs) but potentially more broadly. The known high per capita alcohol intake in Russia heightens concern regarding the sexual transmission of HIV. Interventions to prevent such a development should include use, and assessment of the effectiveness, of known HIV prevention measures for at-risk and infected individuals.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.