A certain fate: spread of HIV among young injecting drug users in Manipur,North-East India

This study aimed to measure risk behaviours and seroprevalence of HIV and h epatitis C virus in IDUs in Manipur, North-East India, and evaluate the imp act of the recently established Syringe and Needle Exchange Program (SNEP). Sampling strategy was based on social networks. Peer interviewers administ ered the study questionnaire and collected blood for anti-HCV and anti-HIV testing. One hundred and ninety-one IDUs (85% male) took part. Average age at first injection was 19 years and average length of time injecting was 3. 7 years. The main drug currently injected was heroin (66%). Most (93%) rep orted having shared injecting equipment and only 42% had used the SNEP. Thr ee-quarters (74. 7%) were infected with HIV and almost all (98%) with HCV. Age (p < 0.001) and length of time injecting (p < 0. 001) were significantl y associated with being HIV-positive. Over two-thirds were sexually active, but only 3% consistently used condoms. Almost three-quarters of IDUs in th is study were infected with HIV, most within the first two years of injecti ng, indicating infection continues to spread at very high rates. Unsafe sex ual practices place partners of infected ID Us at risk of infection. The SN EP must increase its coverage to young and new IDUs before they are exposed to blood-borne viruses.