Behavioral and Sero Prevalence Survey among IDUs in Pokhara Valley

2003

Risky sexual behavior associated with drug use may be a contributing factor to the spread of HIV to the non-injecting population. Drug users function as a bridge for HIV transmission between a core HIV risk group and the general population. This study was conducted among three hundred Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) from 20 selected sites in Pokhara Valley, Kaski District. The study estimates the prevalence of HIV among IDUs and assesses their role in the transmission of HIV. The study looks at the demographic characteristics of IDUs, needle sharing, condom use behavior, HIV/AIDS awareness, and the current level of HIV prevalence among IDUs.