Russia's HIV epidemic linked to drug dependency

Drug addiction therapies in Russia should include sexual behaviour counselling, according to health experts.

Researchers from the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) and Boston Medical Centre (BMC) made the recommendations after studying Russia's fast-growing Aids epidemic.

According to the experts, the disease is prevalent among "injection drug users" and it was also found that increased alcohol dependence has been associated with "sexual HIV risk-taking behaviour".

Jeffrey Samet, chief of internal medicine at BUSM and BMC, said: "A behavioural intervention to reduce unsafe sex is an essential component to HIV prevention, and is critical in the absence of a cure or vaccine."

The recommendations follow the announcement that South Africa's Sunday Times has launched a new competition.

People who take a HIV test, with counselling, are entered in a prize draw to win Rand 100,000 (£6,600).