© 1992 Oxford University Press
research-article |
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection among Intravenous Drug Addicts in IsraelStable Low Prevalence over 34 Months
The Infectious Diseases Unit, The E Wolfson Hospital Holon 58100, and MDA Blood Services, Tel-Hashomer, Israel
A serological survey of 300 Israeli intravenous drug addicts in 19881989, showed a 2.3% prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), very similar to the finding of a previous study (2%) performed in the same population in 1986. Travel and drug injection abroad continue to be the most significant predictors of HIV seropositivity in this group. The relatively uncommon use of cocaine and the absence of shooting galleries in Israel, appears to explain best the stable low prevalence of HIV infection among parenteral drug addicts in this country.
Received 1 December 1991