Importance of research and services among people who inject drugs in Pakistan

People who inject drugs (PWID) are driving the HIV epidemic in Pakistan. The national study conducted in 2011 found an overall weighted prevalence of 37.8% (95% CI: 37.3%, 38.3%) in this vulnerable group. Five cities of the country including Karachi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, DG Khan and Gujrat had 40% HIV prevalence. Sharing of needle/syringe for last injection was found in 39.2% and 43.5% reported using injection paraphernalia.1 With 33.8% married these PWIDs can play a central role in spread of HIV and other infectious diseases in the country through bridging population such as their spouses.1 The role of research focusing on behavioural and structural interventions such as introduction of opioid substitute therapy cannot be undermined particularly when they can play a pivotal role in slowing the spread of infection.