HIV Seropositivity and KAP towards AIDS among drug addicts in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

HIV/AIDS has become the leading public health problem worldwide; the EMR is no exception from this pandemic. Intravenous drug abuse is an important route for indigenous transmission of HIV in their region. This work aimed at testing HIV seroprevalence and KAP concerning AIDS among a group of drug addicts admitted for treatment at the Alexandria Psychiatric Hospital. All 100 addicts chosen for the study were interviewed using a specially designed questionnaire, subjected to ELISA testing for HIV as well as urine testing for 5 groups of psychoactive drugs; namely, amphetamine, cannabis, benzodiazepines, opiates and barbiturates. None of the addicts were found seropositive for HIV. The mean age of addicts was 35.75 +/- 11.45 years, half of whom were of primary education or could just read and write. Most addicts acknowledged AIDS causation [86%], its inevitable fatality [80%], absence of a vaccine [84%] and prevention by safe sexual behaviors [92%]. Half of them used two or more drugs [especially opiates] for more than 10 years, through IV route [alone or in combination]. However, most addicts [85%] denied needle sharing and only 29% acknowledged its possible transmission through needle- sharing. Stratifying by route of drug administration, only 22% of IV drug users [IDU] and 37% of non-IV users [NIDU] stated that it could be transmitted through needle sharing. 32% acknowledged extramarital sexual relationships. About 11% of IDU and 8.7% of NIDU suffered from an STD [mainly gonorrhea]. It is recommended that routine HIV testing be performed for all diagnosed drug addicts. Integration of health education concerning HIV/AIDS in rehabilitation programs targeted at this group is needed to further emphasize the additional dangers of drug abuse, through possible HIV infection