HIV-1 PREVALENCE AMONG DRUG DEATHS - A MULTICENTER STUDY

Since 1985 several European Institutes of Forensic Medicine have coope rated in a multicenter study providing a constant monitoring of HIV-1 prevalence among drug-related deaths. From 1985 to 1991 the HIV status of 5372 drug-related fatalities (4328 males, 1044 females) has been t ested. A total of 764 (14%) drug deaths were HIV-positive (13% of the males, 21% of the females). In contrast to the steadily increasing num ber of drug-related fatalities the HIV-1 prevalence is decreasing, esp ecially in the German cities. Regional differences are obvious. The de velopment of the HIV prevalence of drug deaths is comparable with that of the still living intravenous drug addicts.