Correlates of injection use of synthetic drugs among drug users in Pakistan: a case controlled study.

Objective: To assess the various correlates of injection of synthetic drugs among drug users in Pakistan.

Methods: In a case controlled study, 141 cases and 272 controls were recruited, from 11 drug sites in Lahore, Pakistan, through multistage sampling techniques at a case control ratio of 1:2. Cases were defined as injecting drug users (IDU's) who switched from non injection routes of drug intake to injecting synthetic drugs, while controls (272) were heroin chasers who had never injected synthetic drugs.

HIV risk behavior and practices among heroin addicts in Lahore, Pakistan.

While the numbers of reported and estimated cases of HIV are still relatively low in Pakistan, behavioral patterns that could lead to an HIV epidemic are reported to exist among injection drug users. Therefore, this cross sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of injection drug use and to assess the level of HIV knowledge and practices among male heroin addicts in Lahore, Pakistan. A total number of 660 male heroin addicts were recruited from 22 drug user sites in the city; data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire.