The estimated population size of injecting drug users in Sanandaj during 2015: The capture-recapture method

Background: The addicts, especially injecting drug users (IDUs), are one of the hard-to-reach groups in society; therefore, it is necessary to estimate the size of their population to conduct harm reduction and other intervention programs for them. Accordingly, this study was conducted to estimate the population size of IDUs in Sanandaj during 2015. Materials and Methods: A capture-recapture analysis based on three sources of information was used which included drop-in center (DIC) of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences in Sanandaj, DIC of State Welfare Organization of Sanandaj, and Triangle clinic of central prison of Sanandaj. The population of IDUs was estimated using the capture-recapture method, Bailey s Modification, and Chapman and Peterson-Lincoln estimators. Results: Totally, 27, 59, and 65 IDUs registered in DIC of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, DIC of State Welfare Organization of Sanandaj, and Triangle clinic of central prison of Sanandaj, respectively. Finally, the total size of the IDUs was estimated to be 559. It indicates that 24.3% of the cases are under the coverage of harm reduction programs. Conclusions: The prevalence of drug injection in Sanandaj is still high; therefore, it is important to conduct harm reduction programs for this group.