Caithness CWS - Front Page Bulletiins - October

Behavioural Patterns of Drug Users In Highland

1. INTRODUCTION

In January 2000 Highland Health Board commissioned the Blood-borne Virus section of the Scottish Centre of Infection and Environmental Health (SCIEH) to conduct an assessment of the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C and injecting drug behavioural patterns within the areas of Inverness, Easter Ross, Nairn and Fort William.

The purpose of the study was to provide the Board with accurate contemporary information about drug use upon which service planning could be based.

The aims of the study were to determine:

1) demographic characteristics of the injecting population

2) patterns of drug use

3) extent of needle/syringe sharing

4) sexual risk behaviour

5) service utilisation

6) perceived service needs

7) prevalence of Hepatitis C and HIV infection.

This report records the findings of the study.