Consensus workshop on “Estimating the size of IDUs population in Armenia” was held on September 26, 2008. The aim of the consensus workshop was generating new estimate of IDUs population size that would allow updating the coverage indicator for this population for the National AIDS Programme and RCC Proposal, as well as the estimated number of PLHIV.

Relevant experts from the main stakeholder organizations active in the sphere of drug prevention, including SCAD-V programme, Narcological Clinic, National Center for AIDS prevention, UNAIDS, World Vision-Armenia, Armenian Red Cross Association, APEC and Anti-Drug Civil Union NGOs participated at the workshop. Results of the research conducted by Dr. Zaruhi Beglaryan, SCAD expert on drug epidemiology aimed at calculation of IDU population size were presented during the consensus workshop. The president of “APEC” NGO has presented some preliminary results of the ESPAD survey conducted in Armenia in 2007. It was stated that final ESPAD study report will be available in October, 26, 2008.


Based on the results of research on IDU’s population size calculation conducted by the SCAD drug epidemiology expert and after group discussion, consensus estimate of nearly 5000 IDU (4000-6000) was accepted as a benchmark estimate of number of last year IDU use. It is noteworthy to indicate that the only scientifically sound method that was used for IDU’s population size calculation is based on the Bayes Theorem and Probability Theory, and invited experts had made projection based on that estimate.


It is believed that upcoming study on “Estimating the prevalence of injecting drug use in Armenia and seroprevalence of Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV among non-institutionalized injecting drug users” will help to draw up clear picture based on scientific findings.