[Prevalence of HIV and HCV among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Yunnan, China].

Prevalence of HIV and HCV was studied among 507 IDUs in Yunnan Province. The results reveal that sharing needles with other IDUs is one of the primary pathways to transmit both HIV and HCV. The rates of HIV and HCV infection in the IDU group is 66.5% and 94.9% respectively, which is significantly higher than those in the non-IDU group. There is a direct correlation between the rates of HIV and HCV antibody positive. 97.5% HCV (+) subjects are also HIV (+); and 57% HIV (+) subjects are HCV (+). It is suggested that all IDUs should be encouraged to stop using drugs to prevent HIV and HCV transmission.