Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom 2006

The fourth report on infections among injecting drug users in the Untied Kingdom has been produced by the Health Protection Agency.

Injecting Drug Users are vulnerable to a diverse range of infectious and communicable diseases, including HIV, wound botulism, and hepatitis C, which can result in considerable morbidity and mortality. The surveillance of communicable diseases, and the associated risk and protective behaviours, among this group are important public health functions.

In addition to laboratory and clinician reports there are also data on the prevalences of hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV from Unlinked Anonymous Prevalence Monitoring Programme Survey of HIV and Hepatitis in Injecting Drug Users. This large ongoing multi-site survey is a collaboration with over 50 specialist agencies that work with injecting drug users throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In addition to monitoring prevalence this survey collects information on risk/protective behaviours and healthcare utilisation.

To read or print the report click on the link in Related Links