Methadone and ART will help to reduce HIV transmission among PWID in Pakistan

In Bahawalpur, Pakistan, people who inject drugs (PWID) can significantly reduce their risk of HIV infection with the use of opiate substitution treatments (OST) such as methadone or buprenorphine and risk of transmission with antiretroviral therapy (ART). PWID face many issues including poor access to drug treatment to quit drugs. Many PWID living with HIV are unable to access ART. We need these treatments to reduce HIV transmission among PWID and to keep them alive.

In 2012- 2013, we visited five drug hotspots and recruited 50 PWID participants. We examined their drug use, sexual risk behaviour, attitudes and HIV testing experience. Over half (54%) wanted to quit drugs but had no access to treatment. Treatment reduces the level of HIV infection among PWID.

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