The rise of injecting drug use in East Africa: A case study from Kenya

Abstract

Studies on injecting drug use in East Africa are reviewed. The existing studies document the spread of heroin injection in Kenya and Tanzania, both countries where HIV rates are high. No data from Uganda on injecting drug use was found by the authors. A case study of the growth of heroin injection in a Kenyan coastal town is presented. The need for needle-exchange programmes and other prevention services is discussed. © 2005 Beckerleg et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.