Relationship of national highway with injecting drug abuse and HIV in rural Manipur, India
Sarkar, K.; Panda, S.; Das, N.; Sarkar, S.
Indian Journal of Public Health 41(2): 49-51
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-557X PMID: 9988977 Document Number: 276904
A previous study found a 1% prevalence of injecting drug use among the population of urban Manipur, India. The present study measured this prevalence in different villages in Manipur and assessed the impact of the National Highway on drug use. Pure injectable heroin is known to be transported along this highway. Villages were stratified into three groups on the basis of their proximity to the highway. The prevalence of injecting drug use was estimated as 1.3% in villages within 2 km of the highway, 0.9% in those located 2-10 km from the highway, and 0.2% in those situated at a distance of more than 10 km from the highway. The rates of HIV positivity among injecting drug users identified through this study were 50.0%, 51.4%, and 50.0%, respectively. Most injecting drug users were 25-30 years of age. Needle sharing was widespread. 48% of identified users expressed a desire to stop drug injection, primarily because of concerns about the associated HIV/AIDS risk, economic pressures, and loss of social prestige. AIDS prevention campaigns should be initiated as soon as a geographic connection (e.g., a major highway) to injecting drug use is identified.