Sociodemograhic profile of intravenous drug users in Lahore - A retrospective study

Aim: the aim was to study the association between socio-demographic profile and intravenous drug abuse and to assess the seroprevalence of viral infections in them. material and method: the study was conducted from january to december 2009 in all surgical departments of mayo hospital,lahore. data of all intravenous drug users who presented to the surgical departments through emergency for treatment was collected. this comprised of their socio- demographic profile and results of blood tests for hiv,hepatitis b and hepatitis c infections. results: the mean age of intravenous drug users was 38 years. all were males (100%). majority was unmarried (75%),illiterate (52.5%) and unemployed (77.5%). 95% belonged to lower socioeconomic group. the most common reason for injecting drugs was peer pressure (42.5%) while the most common infected site due to repeated injections was groin (80%). majority of addicts used heroin (87.5%). the seroprevalence of hcv infection was 42%,hbv infection 35% and hiv 10% respectively. conclusion: the government should control illegal drug trafficking and develop strategies to prevent use of illicit drugs by its people.