HIV and other co-infections among drug users attending the Integrated Counselling & Testing Centre (ICTC) at Agra, India

BackgroundThe present study was carried over a period of 2 years, from January, 2009 to December, 2010.Material and methodsThree hundred and seventy (370) drug users attending an Integrated Counselling & Testing Centre (ICTC) at Agra were screened for HIV-1/2, HBV, HCV and syphilis infections.The socio-demographic features and addiction profile of the drug users were studied.ResultsSeroprevalence of HIV infection is 4.86% (18/370), HBV was found to be 0.81% (3/370), HCV is 5.67% (21/370) and VDRL is 25.94% (96/370) among the drug users. Of these, 2 (0.54%) each were co-infected with HIV–HBV, HBV–HCV and HCV–Syphilis whereas 15 (4.05%) were co-infected with HIV–HCV and 25 (6.75%) with HIV–VDRL infections. HIV-1/2 co-infection was found in only 2 (0.54%) of the drug users. The diagnosis of co-infections was confirmed based on laboratory testing and correlated clinically, at the time of testing. The drugs most commonly used were a combination of Lupigesic, Avil and Diazepam.ConclusionThe easy availability of drugs, curiosity and peer approval were the common reasons for initiation of drug abuse among those tested at this Centre. This is the first report of the HIV, HBV, HCV and VDRL screening among drug users in Agra in this region of the country.