Injection Drug Use and HIV/AIDSTransmission in Somalia

Abstract

Somalia has been engulfed in civil strife, and drug dealers had a better chance of smuggling different kinds of drugs. According to a report from the Banadir Regional Administration, drug-related incidents reached their peak between 2020 – 2023, and injection drug users have also increased in Somalia; as a result, HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases have spread to the country and caused serious alarming public health problems. In 2023, the police launched several operations against drug trafficking and its users. Various business centers were shut down and some others revoked business licenses during the operations.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the chances of transmission of HIV/AIDS among persons use injectable drugs in Somalia. The study also sought to investigate knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS among persons injecting drug.
Methodology: The study was conducted in Mogadishu and targeted people who use syringes to inject drugs. Two methods of data collection were used: first, a personal questionnaire, and second, the collection of blood samples for HIV/AIDS testing.
Findings: The result indicates that 81% of respondents are unaware that HIV/AIDS exist in the country. The study also confirms that persons injecting drugs have very poor awareness of HIV/AIDS. 270 people were screened for HIV; 21 were HIV positive.
Research limitations/implications. The study may not be applicable to other nations since it exclusively focused on persons injecting drugs in Somalia.
Originality/value: Limited studies have been conducted to investigate drug injection and HIV/AIDS transmission in Somalia