Increasing burden of infectious diseases among Injection Drug users (IDU) and the role of government in its prevention: A systematic review

Injection Drug use (IDU) are always at high risk of catching infections such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C and other blood-borne pathogenic diseasesdue to direct sharing of used syringes and other injectables. Global percentage of people who inject drugs (PWID) is around 13 million among which 1.7 million are infected with HIV (WHO). It is generally seen that PWID are ought to be disproportionally associated with Hepatitis C prevalence which globally is 67% among these users. Further, this situation is further worsen by a chance of co-infection of HIV–hepatitis C virus which is approximately 2.2 million co- cases which altogether results in more than half the number of cases among PWID (WHO). The prevalence of HIV infection is found to be comparatively higher in lower and middle income countries.This systematic review summarizes important components of various comprehensive program meant for prevention of highly communicable infectious diseases which are launched by government such as legal distribution of sterile syringes under various programs and enhanced pharmacy services. Government sponsored opium substitution treatment programs and various behavioural interventions workshops add more meaning to them.