HIV-INFECTION IN FEMALES DEPENDENT ON DRUGS

One hundred and seventy-one drug-dependent females in a drug rehabilit ation centre were studied to estimate the prevalence of HIV infection among them. Twenty-four (14%) were positive on the Western Blot test. The presence of HIV infection was significantly correlated with syphil is (p < 0.03) and age (p < 0.001); 83% of those who were HIV positive were intravenous drug users. The need for harm reduction programmes to prevent spread of HIV infection among Injecting drug users is stresse d.