The role of drug use in the spread and course of HIV-infection: a comprehensive view of the situation

Intention . To conduct an analysis of HIV infections spread among drug users and subsequently show how HIV spreads in the society under interaction of drug addicts with other people. Methodology . An analysis of studies related to the area of research made by leading scientists in the field of epidemiology, infectology, narcology, psychiatry for a long-term period has been performed. Results and Discussion . Long-term study and thorough analysis demonstrate a persisting role of drug use and drug users in the spread of HIV infection and viral hepatitis through sexual contact and injection equipment and show main mechanisms of involvement all social groups in infection process. Conclusion . Injecting drug users represent a large number of people living with HIV, the least adherent to antiretroviral therapy and setting the stage for HIV transmitting in healthy population and maintaining the epidemic process at a high level.