Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection among Injection Drug Users Released from Jail.
BACKGROUND
Injecting drug users (IDUs) and prisoners are considered to be highly vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Iran. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among IDUs released from jail in Bahar (Hamadan, Iran).


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, 118 IDUs who were prisoners during 2001-07 were evaluated. Their demographic and personal characteristics were assessed by a questionnaire. In order to determine HIV-positive individuals, blood samples were obtained from the participants and tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot technique.


RESULTS
Overall, 20.3% of the subjects had used non-sterile injecting equipment during their imprisonment. The prevalence of HIV infection among the studied population was 4.2%.


CONCLUSIONS
As the prevalence of HIV among IDUs released from jail is high, it is necessary for prison authorities to take measures against the increase in the prevalence of HIV among this group.
Health Center of Bahar, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Ali Reza
AR
Moradi
Public Health, Health Center of Bahar, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Abbas
A
Emdadi
Assistant Professor, Ayatollah Bahari Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Bahram
B
Soori
Assistant Professor, Epidemiologist, Department of Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran And Regional Knowledge Hub for HIV/AIDS Surveillance, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Ehsan
E
Mostafavi
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Bahar (Iran); Human immunodeficiency virus; Injection drug users