HIV serostatus, hepatitis c and depression among injection drug users in Kinondoni Municipality, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Injection drug use in Sub Saharan Africa plays a big role in HIV and HCV transmission. This has brought a great interest with regard to control of the HIV pandemic and spread of HCV infections. In addition to that, Injection drug use is associated with mental conditions like depression. Situational analyses reveal that injection drug use is significantly increasing in different parts of Africa. Unfortunately, there are very few published studies available locally in Tanzania to assess the extent of problems and measures designed to address the issue of HIV, Hepatitis C and depression among Injection drug users. Problem statement: Injection drug use as a contributor to HIV and HCV infections is a subject that has received considerable attention in the scientific literature. Injection drug use is associated with increased transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C and multiple psychological problems including depression. There is no data that elucidates the extent of HIV, HCV and depression among injection drug users in Tanzania. Rationale: HIV and AIDS, HCV infections and depression among intravenous drug users are common problems worldwide. This study assessed the prevalence of HIV, HCV infection and depression among Injection Drug Users in Kinondoni Municipality of Dar es Salaam Tanzania. The study aimed at showing the degree of the problem and further help in formulation of appropriate intervention programs to prevent transmission and address appropriate measures against HIV, HCV and depression among IDUs in Tanzania. Methodology; This cross-sectional study combined a survey, with measures of HIV, HCV infection risk and depression, with biological tests for HIV and HCV being done. The study was conducted over a period of six months from late November 2010 to late April 2011. The sample included both males and females aged 18 years and above, who are IDUs attending community outreach services in different centers and who attended HIV testing and counseling in mobile services. Participants who were included had agreed to consent for participation in the study. Results; A total of 419 IDUs attended at community outreach services were recruited for the study after consenting, among these all clients were eligible for the study. The results revealed that among them 76.6% (n=321) were male while 23.4 % (n= 98) were female. viii The age range was 18 to 53years, with mean age of 26.6. Most patients were in the age group 25 to 34 years, i.e. 64.2% (n=269), compared to the older group aged of + 45 years whom were 1%. Conclusion; The overall prevalence of HIV, HCV infection and Depression among injection drug users was found to be 51.1% ,75.6% and 19.3% respectively. The prevalence was found to be higher in females in all the three conditions compared to males. Recommendations; I therefore recommend that there is an urgent need to invest in HIV/AIDS, HCV infections and depression prevention and control activities that target injection drug users in Tanzania. It is also important to include harm reduction measures like needle and syringe exchange programs as well as expanding the medically assisted therapy services to injection drug users. A new drug policy is important with emphasis on drug use and prevention, The Government should think of including HCV vaccine as part of its vaccination package to the new born. More researches should be done to assess the risk factors and to test these interventions and identify new preventive strategies for people who inject drugs and risk for HIV, HCV infection transmissions and Depression.