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Background: In 2016, the World Health Organization presented the first strategy for the elimination of viral hepatitis by 2030, following the goals of the Agenda 2030. Ending Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by 2030 was also formulated as one of the Sustainable Development Goals and subsequently included and elaborated in the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) strategy. People who inject drugs (PWID) are among the most vulnerable groups in terms of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Following the objectives of the WHO and the UN, the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) has presented the first integrated overall strategy for HIV and Hepatitis C (as well as Hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted infections)., Objectives and Methods: Six years after the adoption of the German government's BIS 2030 strategy this article discusses the role of PWID in Germany in relation to the elimination targets on HIV and HCV based on currently available data and in light of recent responses and efforts from the field., Results: Although there are multiple positive practice approaches, the WHO elimination targets have not yet been achieved with regard to HCV and HIV in PWID., Conclusion: In order not to fail the elimination targets 2030, Germany will have to substantially improve the situation of PWID as a key group and in particular advance the implementation of diagnostics and treatment as well as evidence-based harm reduction measures., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenskonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: People who inject drugs are at high risk for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. HTLV was reported by neighboring countries to be prevalent in this population, but the situation for Germany is unclear. To generate seroprevalence and related behavioural data and to enhance prevention efforts against these infections for drug users in Germany, a multicentre sero- and behavioural survey was initiated. People who inject drugs are not well reached by services for testing and counselling for blood-borne infections in Germany. An interventional part of the study is intended to prove feasibility and acceptance of testing and counselling in low-threshold drop-in settings. Methods/Design: Between May 2011 and March 2015, eligible participants (persons having injected drugs within the last 12 months, aged 16 years+, and living in the study city) are recruited by respondent driven sampling, using low-threshold drop-in facilities as study-sites in eight German cities with large drug scenes. Calculated sample size is 2,033 participants. Capillary blood samples collected as dried blood spots are anonymously tested for serological and molecular markers of hepatitis B and C, HIV, and HTLV I and II. A detailed face-to-face-interview about hepatitis- and HIV-related knowledge, former testing, imprisonment, sexual and injecting risk behaviour is conducted with participants. Staff is trained to offer pre- and post-test-counselling of blood-borne infections and HIV rapid testing to participants. Discussion: We chose respondent driven sampling for recruitment of participants to improve representativeness of results. Persons, who are not reached by the facility where the study is conducted, are aimed to be included by recruitment through their personal social network of injecting drug users. To reduce differential biases in the questions on knowledge of transmission and prevention of infections, we present true statements on hepatitis B, C and HIV, their possible routes of transmission and measures of prevention to participants. Participants are told that the statements are true and are asked to answer if they knew this fact already or if it is new to them. In case of knowledge gaps they are offered free targeted counselling as well as free HIV rapid testing and post-test counselling of HIV and hepatitis test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]