ABSTRACT

In Scotland more than half of those infected with HIV acquired their infection through injecting drug use; approximately one-third of these are women. Of concern for the future is the rising number of people infected heterosexually, of whom two-thirds are women (see Chapter 1). The majority of those infected with HIV are young, with women on average younger than men and those infected through drug use younger than those infected through other routes (Communicable Diseases (Scotland) Unit, 1991). Injecting drug use closely correlates with socio-economic deprivation and, since heterosexual spread in Scotland also usually has its origins in injecting drug use, many of those infected have a background of other social problems. The situation in Scotland clearly demonstrates that HIV infection has relevance for everyone, even though many will be unaware that they are at risk. It also demonstrates the major implications for women, for their own health, for their children’s health through the risk of vertical transmission, and consequently for their reproductive choices. In addition to coping with the possibility and actuality of HIV infection, many women will also have to deal with drug use or other problems due to socio-economic deprivation.