       Document 0522
 DOCN  M9440522
 TI    Rapid spread of HIV among injecting drug users in north-eastern states
       of India.
 DT    9404
 AU    Sarkar S; Das N; Panda S; Naik TN; Sarkar K; Singh BC; Ralte JM; Aier
       SM; Tripathy SP; Indian Council of Medical Research Unit for Research on
       AIDS in; North-Eastern States of India, Calcutta.
 SO    Bull Narc. 1993;45(1):91-105. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94138319
 AB    Manipur, a north-eastern state of India bordering Myanmar, has
       experienced very rapid transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus
       (HIV) among its vast drug-injecting population. Seroprevalence among
       intravenous drug users increased from 0 per cent in September 1989 to 50
       per cent within six months. With a minimum injecting population of
       15,000 and seropositivity of over 50 per cent, the infection quickly
       spread to the population at large. One per cent of antenatal mothers
       tested seropositive by 1991. Forming part of the area of South-East Asia
       known as the Golden Triangle, and producing opium and its derivatives,
       Myanmar shares a long international border with four States of the
       region, and populations with a common language and culture move freely
       across borders. Two other north-eastern states of India bordering
       Myanmar have faced a similar epidemic within a short period of time. As
       a result of serosurveillance for HIV since 1986, the epidemic could be
       detected at an early stage. The present paper provides an account of the
       results of ongoing comprehensive studies conducted in the north-eastern
       states of India on drug-related HIV infection, already a serious
       problem, but possibly still restricted to that region of the country.
       The prevalence of intravenous drug users, their HIV serological status,
       the demographic profile, risk behaviour, the spread of the infection to
       other groups and the problems of harm minimization are also covered.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Female  Health Behavior  Human  HIV
       Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/*ETIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *HIV Seroprevalence
       India/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male  Mass
       Screening  *Population Surveillance  Primary Prevention  Risk Factors
       Substance Abuse, Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS  JOURNAL ARTICLE  REVIEW
       REVIEW LITERATURE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

