Drug abusers - a new high risk population for HIV infection in Orissa.

The present study reports the prevalence of HIV infection among the drug addicts undergoing counselling and treatment in a drug deaddiction centre located in Bhubaneswar, during July 1996 to August 1997. All subjects were males. The coded serum samples were tested by ELISA and rapid spot test for the detection of HIV antibodies. The positive samples were finally confirmed by the line immunoassay for HIV infection. A high prevalence of 7% HIV infection was noticed among the drug addicts (n=100). Oral drug abusers and IDUs were positive for HIV-1 infection in 5.26% and 21.74% cases respectively. The present study reveals a high prevalence of HIV infection among the drug addicts for the first time from Orissa which needs a careful monitoring and surveillance.