The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus among drug-dependent patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of HIV among drug-dependent patients in Jeddah. Between January 1 1995 and May 31 1996, all the patients admitted into the Al Amal Hospital for drug dependence were screened for HIV by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) and confirmed by Western blot. Those positive by the two tests were questioned about exposure to the risk factors for HIV infection and examined for clinical evidence of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Of 2628 admitted, 5 tested positive by EIA but only 4 were confirmed by Western blot, giving an overall prevalence of 0.15%. Three of the four HIV carriers used the intravenous route for drug use and the calculated prevalence for 2102 intravenous drug users was 0.14%. None of the patients showed any clinical evidence of AIDS. In view of the known preference by drug-dependent patients in Jeddah for the parenteral route and their sharing of needles and syringes, recommendations are made to prevent the spread of HIV through this group and into the community.