The Edinburgh cohort of HIV positive drug users: who are they and who cares for them?

Between 1983 and 1984, it is estimated that over 1,000 injection drug users in Edinburgh were infected with HIV. The social and demographic characteristics of 300 HIV positive drug users attending a medical clinical between 1987 and 1991 have been recorded. Nearly all were unemployed, poorly educated and living in council-owned accommodation; one third were female, 17% of whom were caring for a child. Half the cohort lived with a partner, and one fifth with parents; there were no differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. During the study, 45 patients died, mostly from AIDS or an AIDS-related condition. HIV positive drug users are not socially isolated, but they are heavily dependent on family support in the community.