While the worldwide HIV infection decreases, it remains at a high level in Russia, as the specialists from the United States and St. Petersburg stated, publishing their findings in the ‘Addiction’ journal. In Russia a large share of the virus transmission falls to heterosexual sex, the risk group includes people using drugs and alcohol.

      HIV transmission among heavy drinkers is a typically Russian trait. The results are part of a population study by HIV’s Evolution in Russia - Mitigating Infection Transmission and Alcoholism in a Growing Epidemic (HERMITAGE). In this study the researchers applied methods of preventing HIV transmission developed by the American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to the Russian HIV-infected heavy drinkers in the amount of 700 people.

      The methods included a blood test for HIV, condoms distribution and other measures aimed against the transmission of the virus and at reduction of risky behavior.

      After 12 months the transmission of the infection was observed in 8% of the group involved in the project, and in 12% of the control group. According to the polls conducted in both groups, the participants reported about reduction of risky behavior.

      Experts make a conclusion that personal work is necessary to be conducted among risk groups, particularly among alcoholics, in order to reduce HIV infection in Russia.