Marseille 2007
| Abstract #203 - HIV-1 INFECTION AMONG NON-INJECTION DRUG USERS IN KAMPALA, UGANDA | ||||
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Session: 6.23: Posters A (Poster) on Monday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mr Timothy Tebandeke - Uganda Cares, Uganda |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: Drug injecting is an important route of HIV transmission in many countries.Rates of injection drug use are believd to be very low in Sub saharan Africa. On the other hand however , ues of non-injection drugs ( Marijuana, cocaine, heroine ) is known to be relatively high in many African countries but its influence on HIV transmission is not known. In this study, a group of non-injection drug users under going rehabilitation proggrame in Kampala, Uganda were tested for HIV infection in order to evaluate the significance of the practice in the maintenance and spread of HIV in the community. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Following counselling and individual informed consent to enroll in the study, blood samples were collected for HIV testing. Plasma from each sample was tested for presence of HIV-1/2 antibodies . All the reactive samples were further confirmed for specific HIV-1 or HIV-2 antibodies bu immunoblot. Post test counselling was provided for all the participants and HIV positive individuals were confidentially refered to the national ARV centres for review and potential enrollement for therapy. | ||||
| Results / Comments: To date , 17% of non - injection drug users undergoing rehabilitation proggrame with an NGOI in Kampala were confirmed HIV-1 positive. Some important and unique socio-behavioural factors identified with the drug use practice were identified. | ||||
| Discussion: Given the number of individuals who engange in non-injection drug use in Uganda , the practice is a potential factor for enhancing the spread of HIV in the country. This newly evolving and rapidly growing group must be included in the targeted HIV prevention efforts by Goverment and Non Govermental agencies involved in HIV control proggrammes in Uganda | ||||
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