Often HIV epidemics first emerge among IDU populations, spread quickly across the IDU group, and then work their way into other population groups through sexual transmission.

The median age of first drug use was 16 (in Malé) and 17 (in Addu). The age of first drug use ranged from 9 years old (in both sites) to 32 years old (in Malé) and 43 years old (in Addu). IDU’s reported that they first injected age at median age of 22. The age of first injection ranged from 12 to 42 years old in Malé and 15 to 48 years old in Addu.