title: HIV infection in females dependent on drugs.
abstract: One hundred and seventy-one drug-dependent females in a drug rehabilitation 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 syphilis (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 stressed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Wai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Varma
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D015994:Incidence; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs