Figures released today by the Health Protection Agency show that the number of injecting drug users (IDUs) infected with HIV has reached its highest level since 1992.
The figures from the Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme (UAPMP) show that in England and Wales, one in 62 (1.6%) injecting drug users were infected with HIV in 2005 and this compares to one in 110 in 2002 (0.9%). This is the highest level of infection seen since 1992, when one in 62 (1.6%) injecting drug users were infected with HIV.
The level of HIV infection in injected drug users has remained stable in London, however in other areas outside the capital there has been a six-fold increase from one in 500 (0.2%) in 2002, to one in 83 (1.2%) in 2005. The total number of new HIV diagnoses recorded among injecting drug users in 2005 is expected to reach an estimated 182, up from 131 diagnoses in 2004.
Professor Peter Borriello, Director of the Health Protection Agencys Centre for Infections said, These results confirm a continuing rise in HIV transmission among those who inject drugs. This coincides with a reported increase in more risky behaviours among injecting drug users, as well as a rise in hepatitis C infection. There is also evidence of an increase in the injecting of crack-cocaine which has been shown to be associated with transmission of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C.
Dr Fortune Ncube, who monitors the health of injecting drug users for the Agency said, We believe these findings highlight the importance of improving healthcare services to prevent the spread of HIV and other infections among injecting drug users. Necessary steps to achieve this include the provision of enough needles and syringes and available information and practical advice on safer injecting practices, as well as guidance on the safe disposal of used equipment, the prevention of blood-borne virus transmission and easy access to diagnostic tests for HIV.
For more information go to
Source: www.hpa.org.uk
Posted: 17th March 2006
