The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus among drug-dependent patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV among drug-dependent patients in Jeddah. Between January 1 1995 and May 31 1996, all the patients admitted into the Al Amal Hospital for drug dependence were screened for HIV by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) and confirmed by Western blot. Those positive by the two tests were questioned about exposure to the risk factors for HIV infection and examined for clinical evidence of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Of 2628 admitted, 5 tested positive by EIA but only 4 were confirmed by Western blot, giving an overall prevalence of 0.15%. Three of the four HIV carriers used the intravenous route for drug use and the calculated prevalence for 2102 intravenous drug users was 0.14%. None of the patients showed any clinical evidence of AIDS. In view of the known preference by drug-dependent patients in Jeddah for the parenteral route and their sharing of needles and syringes, recommendations are made to prevent the spread of HIV through this group and into the community.

PIP: The prevalence of HIV infection among drug-dependent patients in Saudi Arabia was investigated for the first time in a study conducted at the Al Amal Hospital in Jeddah. 2628 men admitted to this rehabilitation facility from January 1995 to May 1996 were screened for HIV-1 and/or HIV-2. 81.2% of participants were aware of HIV/AIDS and two-thirds knew that the virus can be transmitted by sharing needles and syringes. Five samples were positive by enzyme immunoassay, but only 4 were confirmed by Western blot, for an HIV prevalence of 0.15%. An earlier report on drug-dependent Saudi nationals at this hospital found that at least 80% used the parenteral route of administration. In the 4 confirmed HIV cases in the present series, the risk factor was intravenous drug use in 2 cases, multiple sexual partners in 1 case, and both intravenous drug use and multiple sexual partners in another case. The low HIV prevalence detected in this study among a high-risk group suggests that Saudi Arabia is in a pre-epidemic stage. However, community-based data are necessary to establish the true situation in the country. Recommended, to prevent HIV spread among drug-dependent patients and into the community, are continued public awareness campaigns on the modes of HIV infection.