The indicator of drug-related infectious diseases is one of the key monitoring indicators of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The indicator was implemented in order to provide reliable monitoring of HIV infections, Hepatitis B and C, as well as AIDS incidence among injecting drug users. Monitoring of infectious diseases is based on two complementary approaches: collection of existing data from standard sources and specialist research. Therefore, the data about hepatitis B and C, as well as HIV is collected on the basis of cross-sectional studies and the standard infection monitoring system.

In European Union countries, the data is collected through the REITOX National Focal Points and by the appointed national experts. In Poland, the Information Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction monitor infectious diseases based on the data received from the National Institute of Public Health – the National Institute of Hygiene.  Information on HIV, HCV and HBV infections, as well as AIDS incidence related to injecting drug use are obtained thanks to routine diagnostic tests, the results of which are reported to the National Institute of Public Health – the National Institute of Hygiene by the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations (SANEPID) as part of the infectious disease incidence collective reporting system. Moreover, the National Bureau for Drug Prevention has commissioned cross-sectional studies carried out by the National Institute of Public Health – the National Institute of Hygiene, which include biological tests and surveys using a specially designed questionnaire. Both sources provide detailed information about injecting drug users and complement the general supervision of HIV/AIDS and the notification system on hepatitis.

The latest data on new infections of HIV and new incidences of AIDS among injecting drug users in Poland was from 2009. The analysis of HIV infections in 2003-2008 among injecting drug users shows a downward tendency and 45 infections were recorded in 2008 alone. The 2009 data indicate a stabilization of the trend (49 new cases among injecting drug users were recorded). New AIDS cases in 2009 concerned 51 IDUs out of 126 of the total of AIDS cases.

More details on HIV infections and AIDS cases among injecting drug users are available in the reports:

2009 National Report on the drug situation in Poland

2010 National Report on the drug situation in Poland

2011 National Report on the drug situation in Poland

The latest cross-sectional studies carried out by the National Institute of Public Health – the National Institute of Hygiene and commissioned by the National Bureau for Drug Prevention refer to the year 2009. The estimated HIV prevalence among injecting drug users in the locations studied was said to be 10.3% and the estimated occurrence of hepatitis C antibodies amounted to 47.6% (National Institute of Public Health – the National Institute of Hygiene 2009).