The Problems of Substance Abuse and HIV Risks Among the Youths of Urban Nepal

Background: A study was carried out in Kalanki area of Kathmandu, Nepal with the objectives to: (1) assess the scope and characteristics of substance abuse among the populations of Kalanki; (2) examine the sex differences in communicable diseases; (3) find out, whether needle sharing is associated with HIV positive among the IDUs.

Methods: From June to August 2010, IDUs (n=250) aged 15-25 were administered a structured questionnaire. The Street Intercept method was used. Data were collected on the types of substance use, HIV infection rate, use of condom, sexual behavior, demographic, depression and willingness to abandon substance abuse. Chi-square tests and logical regression were used to find out correlation between the above issues and needle sharing within a period of one year time.  

Results: Among the 250 participants, 90 percent were male and only 10 percent were female. Median age was 20 years. Out of the 65 percent heroin injectors, 35 percent were found sharing needles. Prior to base line of 2 months, 30 percent had >2 sex partners, 5 percent of them had casual sex partners. However, only 10 percent of them use condom. The study showed high prevalence of unsafe sex, injection or taking drugs before sex. 25 persons of the 250 IDUs admitted that they are HIV positive (20 male and 5 female) which showed significant gender differences. 80 percent of the 250 participants were in depression, 60 percent were unwilling to abandon drugs, 80 percent used alcohol, 70 percent used marijuana and 20 percent used heroin.

Conclusions: The substance abusers of Kalanki have been found struggling with substance abuse and HIV infection. In order to mitigate the risk of HIV transmission and substance abuse problems in the study area - treatment policies should be improved together with the educational and other intervention programs. Further study of depression and communicable diseases particularly HIV infection is highly desirable.