广东省社区吸毒者针具交换项目试点效果评价

目的　探讨社区中开展针具交换预防艾滋病在吸毒人群中传播的可行性。方法　本研究为设立对照组的社区干预试验。干预区采用针具交换措施 (同伴教育员和医务人员在吸毒人群中宣传安全注射观念、提供免费针具、回收用过的注射器 ) ,对照区不采取任何干预措施 ,为期 10个月(2 0 0 2年 9月至 2 0 0 3年 6月 )。干预前后分别采用滚雪球的方式抽取注射吸毒者进行横断面调查以评估干预效果。结果　干预前后分别对干预区 (42 8名 )和对照社区 (42 9名 )静脉吸毒者进行调查。结果显示 ,干预区的艾滋病知识知晓率由 2 9 4 %上升到 5 8 7% ;多因素logistic分析结果表明 ,看过艾滋病宣传折页或宣传画者知晓率高 ;同基线调查相比 ,干预区中最近 30d内共用针具率由基线的4 8 9%下降到 2 0 4 % ,而在对照区中共用针具率同基线相比无明显改善 ;干预后干预区最近 30d共用针具的原因中“夜间买不到针、到朋友家打针人多针少、害怕被抓不敢买针和没钱买针”的现象相对基线情况有明显改善。结论　针具交换项目可以有效降低社区吸毒者共用针具现象。为控制艾滋病在吸毒人群中的传播 ,针具交换措施应尽快在全国范围内推广。     

Secondary syringe exchange among injection drug users

Syringe-exchange programs (SEPs) have proven to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens, primarily human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), among injection drug users (IDUs). In the United States, only about 7% of IDUs have access to and use SEPs. Some IDUs engage in secondary syringe exchange (SSE), meaning that one IDU (a “provider”) obtains syringes at an SEP to distribute to other IDUs (“recipients”). This formative qualitative research was conducted to understand why and how IDUs engage in SSE to aid in the development of a large-scale peer HIV prevention intervention. Interviews with 47 IDUs in Oakland and Richmond, California, indicated that SSE was embedded in existing social networks, which provided natural opportunities for peer education. SSE providers reported a desire to help other IDUs as their primary motivation, while recipients reported convenience as their primary reason for using SSE. Building SSE into SEP structures can facilitate an effective provision of risk reduction supplies and information to IDUs who do not access SEPs directly.     

Comparison of injecting drug users who obtain syringes from pharmacies and syringe exchange programs in Tallinn, Estonia

Background  

Both syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and pharmacy sales of syringes are available in Estonia, though the current high incidence and high prevalence of HIV among injection drug users (IDUs) in Tallinn, Estonia requires large-scale implementation of additional harm reduction programs as a matter of great urgency. The aims of this report were to compare risk behavior and HIV infection and to assess the prevention needs among IDUs who primarily use pharmacies as their source of sterile syringes with IDUs who primarily use SEPs in Tallinn.     

Needle and syringe sharing practices of injecting drug users participating in an outreach HIV prevention program in Tehran,Iran: A cross-sectional study

HIV infection rates have reached epidemic proportions amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) in Iran. Although a number of community-based interventions have being implemented in the country, there is little information on the risk behaviors of IDU participants in these programs. This cross-sectional report aimed to compare the risk behaviors of injecting drug users with differential exposure rates to an HIV outreach program in Tehran, Iran. Results indicated that shared use of needle/syringe in the past month was significantly lower among IDUs who received estimated ≥ 7 syringes per week than those who did not [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 14.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.30–89.56]. While the effectiveness of this outreach program needs further evaluation through a longitudinal investigation, our preliminary findings suggest that the outreach program in Tehran may have been beneficial in reducing direct sharing among those who received more than several needles/syringes from the program.     

Update: syringe exchange programs--United States, 1998

Syringe exchange programs (SEPs) provide sterile syringes in exchange for used syringes to reduce the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other bloodborne infections associated with the reuse of potentially blood-contaminatedsyringes among injection drug users (IDUs) (1). This report summarizes a survey of 1998 SEP activities in the United States and compares them with 1994-1997 SEP activity surveys (1-3). SEPs are an increasingly common HIV prevention approach that offer a range of public health services in addition to syringe exchange.     

Demographic, risk, and spatial factors associated with over-the-counter syringe purchase among injection drug users

Since 2005, California law allowed over-the-counter (OTC) syringe sales pending local authorization. Although pharmacy sales of OTC syringes are associated with reduced injection-mediated risks and decreases in human immunodeficiency virus infection rates, little is known about the factors associated with syringe purchase among injection drug users (IDUs). Using a cross-sectional design, the authors applied targeted sampling to collect quantitative survey data from IDUs (n = 563) recruited in San Francisco, California, during 2008. They also compiled a comprehensive list of retail pharmacies, their location, and whether they sell OTC syringes. They used a novel combination of geographic information system and statistical analyses to determine the demographic, behavioral, and spatial factors associated with OTC syringe purchase by IDUs. In multivariate analyses, age, race, injection frequency, the type of drug injected, and the source of syringe supply were independently associated with OTC syringe purchases. Notably, the prevalence of OTC syringe purchase was 53% lower among African-American IDUs (adjusted prevalence ratio = 0.47, 95% confidence interval: 0.33, 0.67) and higher among injectors of methamphetamine (adjusted prevalence ratio = 1.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 1.70). Two neighborhoods with high densities of IDUs had limited access to OTC syringes. Increased access to OTC syringes would potentially prevent blood-borne infectious diseases among IDUs.     

Access to highly active antiretroviral therapy for injection drug users: adherence, resistance, and death

Injection drug users (IDUs) continue to comprise a major risk group for HIV infection throughout the world and represent the focal population for HIV epidemics in Asia and Eastern Europe/Russia. HIV prevention programs have ranged from HIV testing and counseling, education, behavioral and network interventions, drug abuse treatment, bleach disinfection of needles, needle exchange and expanded syringe access, as well as reducing transition to injection and primary substance abuse prevention. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996, dramatic clinical improvements have been seen. In addition, the treatment's impact on reducing HIV viral load (and therefore transmission by all routes) provides a stronger rationale for an expansion of the focus on prevention to emphasize early identification and treatment of HIV infected individuals. However, treatment of IDUs has many challenges including adherence, resistance and relapse to high risk behaviors, all of which impact issues of access and ultimately effectiveness of potent antiretroviral treatment. A major current challenge in addressing the HIV epidemic revolves around an appropriate approach to HIV treatment for IDUs.     

Situational factors influencing drug injecting,risk reduction and syringe exchange in Togliatti City,Russian Federation: a qualitative study of micro risk environment

We undertook a qualitative study to explore the micro-environment of drug injecting, risk reduction and syringe exchange practices among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Togliatti City, Russia. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n=57) were undertaken with current IDUs in May 2001. Findings highlight a recent transition away from hanka (a home-produced liquid opiate derived from opium poppy) towards the injection of heroin powder, and a drug use culture in which injecting predominates. Findings emphasise that risk reduction practices may be influenced less by availability of injecting equipment than by an interplay of situational and micro-environmental factors. Principal among these is a reported fear of police detainment or arrest among IDUs which encourages a reluctance to carry needles and syringes, and which in turn, is associated with needle and syringe sharing at the point of drug sale. We note the role of policing practices in influencing risk reduction and the potential role of policing agencies in supporting HIV prevention initiatives among IDUs.     

Economic evaluation of delivering hepatitis B vaccine to injection drug users

BACKGROUND: Injection drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of hepatitis B (HBV) infection, and hepatitis B vaccination coverage in IDUs is low. Recent studies demonstrate that syringe exchange programs are effective venues to reach and immunize IDUs. The purpose of this paper was to determine if targeting IDUs for HBV vaccination through syringe exchange programs is economically desirable for the healthcare system and to assess the relative effectiveness of several different vaccination strategies. METHODS: Active IDUs in Chicago IL and Hartford and Bridgeport CT (N=1964) were recruited and screened through local syringe exchange programs, randomized to a standard (0, 1, 6 months) or accelerated (0, 1, 2 months) vaccination schedule, and followed from May 2003 to March 2006. Analyses were conducted in 2007. The vaccination program's costs were balanced against future HBV-associated medical costs. Benefits in terms of prevented acute HBV infections and quality-adjusted life years were estimated based on a Markov model. RESULTS: HBV vaccination campaigns targeting IDUs through syringe exchange programs are cost-saving. The most cost-saving strategies include giving the first dose to everyone at screening, administering the vaccination under the accelerated schedule (0, 1, 2 months), and obtaining highly discounted vaccine from local health departments. CONCLUSIONS: It is economically inappropriate to offer HBV screening in the absence of vaccination. Existing syringe exchange programs in the U.S. should include HBV vaccination.     

Syringe vending machines for injection drug users: an experiment in Marseille, France

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the usefulness of vending machines in providing injection drug users with access to sterile syringes in Marseille, France. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were offered to 485 injection drug users obtaining syringes from 32 pharmacies, 4 needle exchange programs, and 3 vending machines. RESULTS: Of the 343 respondents (response rate = 70.7%), 21.3% used the vending machines as their primary source of syringes. Primary users of vending machines were more likely than primary users of other sources to be younger than 30 years, to report no history of drug maintenance treatment, and to report no sharing of needles or injection paraphernalia. CONCLUSIONS: Vending machines may be an appropriate strategy for providing access to syringes for younger injection drug users, who have typically avoided needle exchange programs and pharmacies.     

Legal access to needles and syringes/needle exchange programmes versus HIV counselling and testing to prevent transmission of HIV among intravenous drug users: a comparative study of Denmark, Norway and Sweden

BACKGROUND: Countries have adopted different strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV among intravenous drug users. Legal access to needles and syringes/needle exchange programmes as part of such a strategy has been heavily debated. HIV counselling and testing has also been part of prevention strategies. The objective of this study was to discuss the effectiveness of legal access to needles and syringes/ needle exchange programmes versus HIV counselling and testing among intravenous drug users (IDUs) as part of HIV prevention strategies. METHODS: Differences in HIV prevention strategies in Denmark, Norway and Sweden among IDUs are described. Outcome variables of effectiveness were HIV incidence rates over time. These were estimated by back calculation methods from 1980 through 1996, using data from the national HIV and AIDS registers. RESULTS: A comparison of HIV prevention strategies in Denmark, Norway and Sweden suggests that a high level of HIV counselling and testing might be more effective than legal access to needles and syringes/needle exchange programmes. Sweden and Norway, with higher levels of HIV counselling and testing, have had significantly lower incidence rates of HIV among IDUs than Denmark where there was legal access to needles and syringes and a lower level of HIV counselling and testing. In Sweden there was no legal access to drug injection equipment. CONCLUSION: Promotion and accessibility of HIV counselling and testing among intravenous drug users should be considered in countries where such a strategy is not adopted or has low priority.     

Recent incarceration independently associated with syringe sharing by injection drug users

OBJECTIVES: Few prospective studies are available on the relationship between incarceration and HIV risk among injection drug users (IDUs). The authors evaluated self-reported rates of syringe sharing and incarceration among a cohort of IDUs. METHODS: This study analyzed syringe lending by HIV-infected IDUs and syringe borrowing by HIV-negative IDUs among participants enrolled in the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS). Since serial measures for each individual were available, variables potentially associated with each outcome (syringe lending and borrowing) were evaluated using generalized estimating equations for binary outcomes. RESULTS: The study sample consisted of 1,475 IDUs who were enrolled into the VIDUS cohort from May 1996 through May 2002. At baseline, 1,123 (76%) reported a history of incarceration since they first began injecting drugs. Of these individuals, 351 (31%) reported at baseline that they had injected drugs while incarcerated. Among 318 baseline HIV-infected IDUs, having been incarcerated in the six months prior to each interview remained independently associated with syringe lending during the same period (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06, 1.69; p=0.015). Similarly, among the 1,157 baseline HIV-negative IDUs, having been incarcerated in the six months prior to each interview remained independently associated with reporting syringe borrowing during the same period (adjusted OR=1.26; 95% CI 1.12, 1.44; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Incarceration was independently associated with risky needle sharing for HIV-infected and HIV-negative IDUs. This evidence of HIV risk behavior should reinforce public health concerns about the high rates of incarceration among IDUs.     

新旧注射吸毒人群HIV传播因素研究

目的探讨和分析新旧注射吸毒者的人口学特征及HIV传播因素,为预防控制艾滋病流行提供科学依据。方法选取针具交换点和戒毒所新旧人群为研究对象,采用面对面问卷调查,问卷内容包括新旧人群的人口学特征、艾滋病相关知识、干预服务参号隋况、高危行为学特征及HIV传播影响因素。应用SPSS16．0软件进行统计分析。结果共调查474例注射吸毒者,其中新人群（注射吸毒≤5年）及旧人群（注射吸毒〉5年）分别为157例（33．1％）和317例（66．9％）。调查对象的HIV感染率为20．5％,HIV感染率与吸毒年限呈正相关趋势（_=0．83,P=0．004）,且在5年内的变化速率最快。多因素Logistic回归模型结果显示,在〈30岁的新人群中,男性、重复使用及共用针具是HIV传播的影响因素;在30～40岁的旧人群中,男性、知晓共用注射辅助材料的危害及共用针具是HIV传播的影响因素;在〉40岁的旧人群中,男性、文化程度初中及以上、参加过针具交换及共用针具是HIV传播的影响因素。结论加强对新旧人群的宣传教育力度,倡导针具交换、有套性交、扩大干预服务覆盖面,知而信、信而行,是预防控制HIV传播与流行的有效措施。     

Needle sharing behaviour among injection drug users (IDUs) in treatment in Montreal and Toronto, 1988-1989.

Injection drug users (IDUs) entering treatment programs in Montreal and Toronto were recruited for a study of drug using behaviour and risk of HIV infection. Only those who had injected within 6 months of entering their treatment program were eligible for participation. 183 subjects were recruited in Montreal and 167 in Toronto between November, 1988 and October, 1989. Each participant completed a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire which focussed on, among other things, drug history and needle sharing behaviour. Approximately three-quarters of respondents in both cities reported sharing needles and syringes within the 6-month period prior to their entry into treatment. Our analysis, which focussed on variables associated with needle sharing revealed that having a sexual partner who injected, trouble obtaining sterile needles and syringes and cocaine injection were significantly and independently associated with needle sharing in a logistic regression model which also controlled for city of recruitment.     

Update: syringe exchange programs--United States, 2002

Syringe exchange programs (SEPs) provide sterile syringes in exchange for used syringes to reduce transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other bloodborne infections associated with reuse of contaminated syringes by injection-drug users (IDUs). This report summarizes a survey of SEP activities in the United States for January-December 2002 and compares the results with those of previous surveys. The findings indicate that in 2002, for the first time in 8 years, the number of SEPs, the number of localities with SEPs, and public funding for SEPs decreased nationwide; however, the number of syringes exchanged and total budgets across all programs continued to increase. SEPs can help prevent bloodborne pathogen transmission by increasing access to sterile syringes among IDUs and enabling safe disposal of used syringes. Often, programs also provide other public health services, such as HIV testing, risk-reduction education, and referrals for substance-abuse treatment.     

Needle exchange programs and social policy

The specter of AIDS will continue to dominate the concerns of clinicians, policy-makers, and social scientists into the next century. In addition to being a biological issue, HIV disease is a political issue. As a result of this, interest groups have mobilized to restrict certain interventions aimed at stopping the spread of HIV. Among those restricted interventions is the exchange of sterile needles and syringes for “dirty” needles and syringes with injection drug users (IDUs). Increasing the availability of clean equipment by removing the laws restricting their availability, and/or by funding needle exchange programs, would appear to be a much needed and rational public health policy. However, needle exchange programs have been viewed as fostering drug addiction or enabling drug addicts, thus marginalizing it as an early stage of treatment for addicts and as a demonstrated public health intervention. There is no empirical evidence to support this conclusion. In the absence of better knowledge about how to prevent the use of illicit injection drugs and how to effectively treat IDUs, we believe that needle exchange programs (NEPs) need to be implemented for several key reasons. First, they can help slow the spread of HIV infection. Second, they can be cost-effective when compared to the higher health care costs that result without needle exchange programs. Third, they can act as a precursor to treatment, or recovery, for addicts.