Injecting nation: achieving control of hepatitis C in Australia

Since Australia banned heroin in 1953 consumption of illicit drugs, deaths, crime and corruption related to drugs have steadily increased. Injecting drug use (IDU) in Australia is now a significant public health problem linked each year to approximately 500 overdose deaths and more than 6000 hepatitis C infections. At least 85% of prevalent and incident hepatitis C cases in Australia are injecting drug users (IDUs) with annual incidence estimated at 15%. Although poorly documented, increasing numbers of patients with end-stage liver disease from hepatitis C now appear to present in Australia. This reflects a heroin-injecting epidemic commencing a quarter of a century ago, the close association between drug injecting and hepatitis C and the long delay between hepatitis C infection and complications. The overall health and economic burden of hepatitis C may soon exceed HIV. Control is far more difficult to achieve for hepatitis C than HIV because of much higher baseline prevalence levels and far greater infectiousness by blood to blood spread. Transmission appears to follow minimal breaches of infection control guidelines. Hepatitis C has not yet become a priority public health issue in Australia. No national prevention strategy has been proposed. Prevention strategies (such as needle exchange or methadone) which controlled HIV among IDUs should be expanded, with the expectation of some useful reduction of spread but without achieving control of hepatitis C. Other options for control must be considered. Eradicating illicit drug use in Australia is unachievable. Virtually eradicating injecting drug use by facilitating a switch to non-injecting routes of administration (NIROA) is achievable (although difficult) and this could control hepatitis C. NIROA will have the probable additional benefit of reducing drug overdose deaths. NIROA has begun recently to replace injecting in several countries without government intervention. Powerful cultural, pharmacological and economic factors strongly reinforce drug injecting. Economic impediments to NIROA could be reduced by drug policy reform. Facilitating a switch to NIROA carries some risk of increased discrimination directed against an already marginalized population. A major obstacle to harm reduction is the common assumption that any relaxation of drug policy invariably leads to increased consumption. Switching the predominant route of administration of illicit drugs from IDU to NIROA should be the major focus of national efforts to control hepatitis C and overdose deaths in Australia.     

The Thai HIV/AIDS epidemic at 15 years: sustained needle sharing among southern Thai drug injectors

To explore perceptions and attitudes towards needle sharing among clinic-based injecting drug abusers (IDUs) at a drug-treatment clinic in Hat Yai City, Songkla Province, Southern Thailand. Qualitative methods were used to gather data, including: in-depth interviews with 17 active IDUs and with three nurses, participant observation, review of the IDUs' files, and validation after interview completion to ensure data triangulation. A form of comparative content analysis, including thematic analysis, was used for data analysis. After 15 years of the Thai HIV/AIDS epidemic, most southern Thai IDUs still occasionally engaged in needle sharing although they reported reductions in sharing frequency. Withdrawal symptoms and craving were most commonly cited as compelling reasons to share. Misconceptions about how to determine "healthy" from the "sick" was another key factor underlying sharing. Pooling money for drugs (with subsequent cost-savings) was given priority over purchasing new needles/syringes among disadvantaged IDUs. Receiving HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), however, promotes reduced sharing. Our findings suggest that southern Thai IDUs remain at high risk of acquiring HIV infection, primarily through needle sharing. Harm reduction strategies, such as, providing VCT to all IDUs and promoting needle exchange programs might be beneficial approaches to curbing the rapid spread of HIV.     

How can hepatitis C be prevented in the long term?

Significant advances have been made in preventing HIV infection among injectors but we still know little about preventing hepatitis C (HCV). Both prevalence and incidence of hepatitis C can remain high among IDUs even in the context of widespread implementation of harm reduction programmes. We need to develop new ways to fill the knowledge gap regarding HCV prevention. One way is to learn from the experts--those IDUs who, after long-term injection in social milieus of high hepatitis C prevalence, nonetheless remain uninfected. We describe a recently commenced program of research that focuses on understanding the strategies, behaviours, and environmental factors associated with "staying safe". This represents a 180-degree turn in IDU research where the focus has traditionally been on risk. Since social, cultural and environmental factors, as well as the vagaries of human strategic discovery by drug users can vary among localities, researchers in four different contexts--New York City, Valencia, Sydney and London--are collaborating in parallel Staying Safe studies. These studies aim to provide the conceptual basis for developing a new generation of HCV prevention programs to assist both new and experienced IDUs to remain uninfected over the long run.     

Optimal provision of needle and syringe programmes for injecting drug users: A systematic review

The introduction of needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) during the 1980s is credited with averting an HIV epidemic in the United Kingdom and Australia, but hepatitis C (HCV) incidence continues to rise among injecting drug users (IDUs). NSPs incorporating additional harm reduction strategies have been highlighted as an approach that may impact on HCV incidence. This systematic review sought to determine which approaches to the organisation and delivery of NSPs are effective. Fifteen databases were searched for studies published since 1990. Two reviewers screened all titles and abstracts, and data extraction and quality assessment of individual studies were undertaken independently by one reviewer and checked for accuracy by a second. Sixteen studies met the criteria for inclusion. Based on 11 studies there was no evidence of an impact of different NSP settings or syringe dispensation policies on drug injecting behaviours, but mobile van sites and vending machines appeared to attract younger IDUs and IDUs with higher risk profiles. Two studies of interventions aimed at encouraging IDUs to enter drug treatment reported limited effects, but one study found that the combination of methadone treatment and full participation in NSPs was associated with a lower incidence of HIV and HCV. In addition, one study indicated that hospital-based programmes may improve access to health care services among IDUs. Currently, it is difficult to draw conclusions on ‘what works best’ within the range of harm reduction services available to IDUs. Further studies are required which have a stated aim of evaluating how different approaches to the organisation and delivery NSPs impact on effectiveness.     

Topic-Focused Bibliography: Syringe Exchange: HIV Prevention,Key Findings,and Future Directions

HIV among injecting drug users (IDUs) has now been documented in over 60 countries in the world, and there are an additional 40 countries where injecting drug use has been reported including widespread epidemics in Southeast and southern Asia and in Latin America. At present HIV infection is almost always fatal, and there is no promise that a preventive vaccine will become available soon. Given the enormity of the HIV epidemic among IDUs and the critical need to reduce the spread of HIV transmission to and from IDUs, prevention efforts are essential. Syringe-exchange programs have become a major component of HIV prevention strategies in most developed countries and work within the philosophy of harm reduction. Increasing access to sterile syringes has been met with considerable controversy. Opponents of syringe exchange have generally argued that increasing access to sterile syringes would simultaneously increase the number of injecting drug users, increase the frequency of injection for already active IDUs, and appear to “condone” an illegal behavior. To date many research studies and four major reviews of syringe exchange literature have been conducted. All studies thus far have shown no increase in illicit drug injection associated with syringe exchanges, and significant decrease in drug risk behaviors.     

Malaysia and harm reduction: the challenges and responses

In Malaysia the response to illicit drug use has been largely punitive with the current goal of the Malaysian government being to achieve a drug-free society by 2015. This paper outlines the results of a desk-based situation assessment conducted over a 3-week period in 2004. Additional events, examined in 2005, were also included to describe more recent policy developments and examine how these came about. Despite punitive drug policy there has been a substantial rise in the number of drug users in the country. Over two-thirds of HIV/AIDS cases are among injecting drug users (IDUs) and there has been an exponential rise in the number of cases reported. Further, data suggest high risk drug use practices are widespread. Harm reduction initiatives have only recently been introduced in Malaysia. The successful piloting of substitution therapies, in particular methadone and buprenorphine, is cause for genuine hope for the rapid development of such interventions. In 2005 the government announced it will allow methadone maintenance programmes to operate beyond the pilot phase and needle and syringe exchange programmes will be established to serve the needs of IDUs.     

The impact of an HIV prevention intervention for injecting drug users in Svetlogorsk,Belarus: model predictions

Background: From the mid-1990s there has been a rapid spread of HIV infection amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) in Svetlogorsk, Belarus. In 1997, when the IDU HIV prevalence had reached 74%, two needle and syringe exchange points (NEPs) were established in the town. These interventions have been operating since then, with some interruptions due to a lack of funding 1998. Methods: This article presents a deterministic epidemiological model ‘IDU 2.4’ that simulates the transmission of HIV among IDUs sharing injecting equipment, and between IDUs and their sexual partners. The model incorporates the impact of the interrupted distribution of clean syringes and condoms, is validated against data from Svetlogorsk, and is used to estimate the impact of the intervention on HIV transmission. Results: The model predicts that between 1997 and 2000 the intervention averted 414 HIV infections in Svetlogorsk (95% CI, 180–690) and caused a 6.5% decrease in IDU HIV prevalence compared to if there had been no intervention. The analysis also suggests that the gap in funding between 1998 and 1999 resulted in a 35% reduction in the number of HIV infections averted among IDUs during that period, and that the IDU HIV prevalence is 3% higher in 2000 (95% CI, 1.9–4.6%) than if there had been no gap in funding. Conclusions: Even though the HIV prevalence and incidence amongst the IDUs remained high, the findings suggest that the intervention had an important affect on HIV transmission in Svetlogorsk, Belarus. The findings reinforce the importance of strengthening existing projects and replicating similar projects in the region, and highlight the detrimental impact of gaps in intervention funding.     

瑞丽市中国与缅甸静脉吸毒人员高危行为及干预现状比较研究

目的:比较中国与缅甸静脉吸毒人员(IDUs)高危行为及干预现状,为后续跨境综合干预活动提供依据。方法:2009-2010年瑞丽市为调查点,戒毒所缅甸注射吸毒人员整群抽样,结合社区中缅IDUs滚血球抽样。问卷调查收集艾滋病相关知识、共用针具、接受干预服务、高危性行为等方面的情况。SPSS 18.0软件包数据分析,秩和检验和χ2检验。结果:缅甸及中国IDUs中HIV感染率分别为35.6%及41.6%。缅甸籍IDUs新检测为阳性的比例27.6%,远高于中国籍的比例3.5%。中国IDUs最近1年接受过干预服务得分高于缅甸籍吸毒人员。缅甸、中国IDUs上个月注射时都使用新针具的比例为40.6%和46.2%,上个月使用别人用过的针具比例为33.3%和33.8%。上一次付费的性交易中没有使用安全套的比例,缅甸为91.0%,中国为57.8%,而最近一次发生性行为时没有使用安全套的比例缅甸(87.2%)高于中国(59.6%)。结论:边境区域中缅IDUs高危行为明显,应采用多种方法加大对中国缅甸籍IDUs减少伤害综合服务力度。     

Harm reduction, hepatitis C and opioid pharmacotherapy: an opportunity for integrated hepatitis C virus-specific harm reduction

While harm reduction advocates, policy makers and practitioners have a right to be proud of the impact of interventions such as needle and syringe programmes on HIV risk, we can be less sanguine about the ongoing high levels of HCV transmission among injecting drug users (IDUs) and the expanding burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease. In this Harm Reduction Digest Drs Byrne and Hallinan from the Redfern Clinic and Dr Dore from the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research offer a model of integrated HCV prevention and treatment services within the setting of opioid pharmacotherapy. In their experience, this common-sense approach provides an opportunity to reduce the burden of HCV and improve overall patient management. They believe that the key elements of a HCV-specific harm reduction model include: regular HCV testing; clinical assessment and determination of need for HCV treatment referral; use of broader HCV treatment inclusion criteria; and flexibility in opioid pharmacotherapy dosing. In an environment when our macro harm reduction interventions seem to have, at best, modest impact on HCV transmission, good clinical practice may be our most effective strategy against the HCV epidemic. This paper provides some practical suggestions as to how this can be done.     

Distributive syringe sharing among young adult injection drug users in five U.S. cities

Blood-borne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are transmitted most commonly among injection drug users (IDUs) through the sharing of needles and syringes. Distributive syringe sharing (DSS) (i.e., passing on a used needle/syringe to another IDU) poses the potential risk of transmitting HIV and viral hepatitis to others. We studied the prevalence and correlates of DSS among IDUs enrolled in a randomized behavioral intervention trial designed to reduce behaviors associated with HIV and HCV transmission in five U.S. cities. Among 3129 IDUs ages 15-30 years who completed the baseline visit, 1432 (45.8%) engaged in DSS during the 3 months prior to baseline. Significant correlates of DSS were perception that peer norms condone needle sharing, frequent injection, not obtaining most syringes from needle exchange programs or pharmacies, injecting most frequently in shooting galleries and with sex partners, low perceived risk of HIV from sharing syringes, increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and having unprotected sex. Restricting to only those IDUs who reported not injecting with previously used syringes, similar independent correlates of DSS were found. These findings suggest that interventions to reduce ongoing transmission of blood-borne infections should focus on altering peer norms among networks of young IDUs.     

Implementation of harm reduction in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia

Harm reduction (HR) interventions began in Central-Eastern Europe and Central Asia in the mid-1980s with the establishment of substitution treatment (ST) in Yugoslavia. In the mid-1990s, the first needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) opened in selected countries following the outbreaks of HIV among injecting drug users (IDUs). The number of NSPs continues to increase via a combination of international and state funding with large expansions made possible via the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. While ST is still unaccepted in several countries, others have made some progress which is especially visible in South Eastern and Central Europe and the Baltic States. Development of regional networking including Central and Eastern European HR Network and a number of national networks helped to coordinate joint advocacy effort and in some cases sustain HR services. Activism of drug users and people living with HIV (PLWH) increased in the region in the last several years and helped to better link HR with the affected communities. Still a number of challenges remain important for the movement today such as repressive drug policies; stigma and discrimination of IDUs, PLWH, sex workers and inmates, including poor access to prevention and treatment; lack of important components of HR work such as naloxone distribution and hepatitis B vaccination, prevention in prisons; issues of quality control; sustaining services after finishing of major international projects; reaching of adequate coverage and others.     

High dead-space syringes and the risk of HIV and HCV infection among injecting drug users

This study examines the association between using and sharing high dead-space syringes (HDSSs)—which retain over 1000 times more blood after rinsing than low dead-space syringes (LDSSs)—and prevalent HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among injecting drug users (IDUs). A sample of 851 out-of-treatment IDUs was recruited in Raleigh–Durham, North Carolina, between 2003 and 2005. Participants were tested for HIV and HCV antibodies. Demographic, drug use, and injection practice data were collected via interviews. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Participants had a mean age of 40 years and 74% are male, 63% are African American, 29% are non-Hispanic white, and 8% are of other race/ethnicity. Overall, 42% of participants had ever used an HDSS and 12% had shared one. HIV prevalence was 5% among IDUs who had never used an HDSS compared with 16% among IDUs who had shared one. The HIV model used a propensity score approach to adjust for differences between IDUs who had used an HDSS and those who had never used one. The HCV models included all potential confounders as covariates. A history of sharing HDSSs was associated with prevalent HIV (odds ratio = 2.50; 95% confidence interval = 1.01, 6.15). Use and sharing of HDSSs were also associated with increased odds of HCV infection. Prospective studies are needed to determine if sharing HDSSs is associated with increased HIV and HCV incidence among IDUs.     

The sharing of injecting paraphernalia by intravenous drug users (IDUs) within a Worcestershire cohort, with specific reference to water and filters

Britain continues to have a drug misuse health strategy that is HIV led. Because of this, little attention has been paid to other blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis. Moreover, while the provision of needle exchange schemes has been particularly successful in containing the spread of HIV, they have had less impact on the prevalence of hepatitis within IDU cohorts. Thus, it is necessary to understand more about the potential pathways through which the hepatitis viruses can be transmitted. One way of achieving this is to assess the propensity of IDUs to share other items of injecting paraphernalia such as water and filters. In addition, it is useful to gauge the level of opinion with respect to health hazards associated with sharing such items, amongst injecting drug users. This study reports on a small pilot project initiated to assess the degree of sharing of filters and water among 40 needle exchange service users in Worcestershire. Results based on questionnaires show that sharing of water and filters is very high within the sample group. Indeed, only 10% of clients reported never sharing either water or filters. The study also demonstrates that although injectors are aware of the health risks associated with sharing (including hepatitis transmission), they continue to participate in high risk sharing activities. Moreover, the majority of IDUs questioned have a mis-conception with respect to the most hygienic sources of water for injecting. For example, only 10% consider sterile water to be the most hygienic source for injecting, with >70% considering tap water in one form or another to be safe. The study is important because it highlights the value of providing sterile water and filters to IDUs to meet their basic and fundamental needs. It is hoped that the findings from this small project will have a wider transferability to other IDU cohorts throughout the UK and beyond.     

在静脉吸毒者中开展降低危害干预项目的效果分析

目的探索在静脉吸毒者中开展以针具交换和同伴教育为主的降低危害干预项目的有效模式。方法在宁明县边境乡镇社区寻找并通过＂滚雪球＂的方式发展静脉吸毒者,在进行需求调查的基础上,对其开展针具交换、同伴教育、自愿咨询检测、安全套发放等降低危害的活动。并通过横断面调查了解静脉吸毒者行为的改变情况及干预的效果。结果项目当地的静脉吸毒者HIV感染率有下降趋势,由基线调查的17.32%下降到13.1%;共针吸毒行为从47.0%下降到3.4%;最近一次性行为不使用安全套从71.4%下降到31.3%;静脉吸毒者艾滋病知识知晓率明显提高。结论在静脉吸毒者中开展以针具交换和同伴教育为主的干预模式降低危害是可行的,效果是显著的。     

Circumstances Surrounding Needle Use Transitions among Injection Drug Users: Implications for HIV Intervention

Injection drug users (IDUs) are at increased risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Intervention programs aimed at reducing the spread of HIV in this population typically incorporate a range of risk reduction strategies, including encouragement to move from injection to noninjection. However, very little is known about the factors associated with needle use transitions, either spontaneous or in response to intervention. We report a study in which a cohort of IDUs were asked about the reasons they stopped and restarted injection. Of 855 IDUs, 179 (21%) had had at least one 12-month period of noninjection since they first injected. Almost one-half of the reasons given for stopping injecting related to personal crises, characterized by major shifts in attitude to drugs and/or life more generally, and often generated by pressures in significant relationships. Concerns about HIV were cited by only one respondent. Many of the factors associated with transition out of needle use in the study population are not readily amenable to intervention. The implications of this for HIV risk reduction programs are discussed.     

Sociodemographic disparities in access to addiction treatment among a cohort of Vancouver injection drug users

Vancouver's explosive HIV epidemic among injection drug users (IDUs) has received international attention due to the presence of a large needle exchange program. The role of addiction treatment has not been evaluated in this setting. We evaluated factors associated with use of addiction treatment among a prospective cohort of Vancouver IDUs. Addiction treatment was negatively associated with Aboriginal ethnicity and unstable housing, both of which have been associated with HIV infection in previous studies. These findings demonstrate low levels of addiction treatment among Vancouver IDUs and suggest that programs may need to be targeted towards specific populations with poor access.     

Harm Reduction in the Hills of Northern Thailand

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic has swept through injecting drug user (IDU) communities around the world. Once HIV is present in an IDU community, seroprevalence rates escalate rapidly unless immediate and comprehensive prevention methods are put in place. Such measures often include providing IDUs with sterile injecting equipment and dispensing methadone or other opiate substitution formulas. These measures fall under the rubric of harm reduction-an attempt to reduce the harm to drug users, their families, and communities, including preventing or limiting the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne viruses. In Thailand, HIV-1 spread rapidly among IDUs with seroprevalence rates jumping from 1 to 40% in the space of a year. Current incidence rates are estimated at 11 per 100 person years. This paper describes the establishment and implementation of needle and syringe exchanges among injecting drug users in nine Hilltribe communities in Northern Thailand. The exchanges have been operating for between 1 and 3 years and have been effective in limiting the transmission of HIV within these small communities. The needle and syringe exchanges are run by indigenous staff widi the cooperation of the community and provide a good example of the feasibility of establishing locally-run, community-based harm reduction programs.     

广西河池市美沙酮门诊海洛因依赖人群HIV、HCV、TB、梅毒感染情况调查

目的獉獉:了解河池市美沙酮门诊海洛因依赖人群的特征,HIV、HCV、TB和梅毒感染情况及其危险因素。方法獉獉:对参加美沙酮维持治疗的388名海洛因依赖者进行治疗前的问卷调查,HIV、HCV、TB、梅毒血清学检测及胸部X线摄片检查。结果獉獉:87.11%的海洛因依赖者采用静脉注射方式吸毒,46.15%的静脉吸毒者共用注射器。HIV抗体阳性率7.99%(31/388),其中静脉注射吸毒HIV抗体阳性率8.88%(30/338)。HCV抗体阳性率72.16%(280/388),其中静脉注射吸毒HCV抗体阳性率74.85%(253/338)。TB抗体阳性率0.26%(1/388),梅毒抗体阳性率13.66%(53/388)。结论獉獉:河池市美沙酮门诊海洛因依赖人群,尤其是静脉吸毒者中HCV和梅毒感染较高。在海洛因依赖人群中推广针具交换、安全套免费发放和相关知识的健康教育、行为干预尤为重要。     

Sociodemographic Disparities in Access to Addiction Treatment Among a Cohort of Vancouver Injection Drug Users

Vancouver's explosive HIV epidemic among injection drug users (IDUs) has received international attention due to the presence of a large needle exchange program. The role of addiction treatment has not been evaluated in this setting. We evaluated factors associated with use of addiction treatment among a prospective cohort of Vancouver IDUs. Addiction treatment was negatively associated with Aboriginal ethnicity and unstable housing, both of which have been associated with HIV infection in previous studies. These findings demonstrate low levels of addiction treatment among Vancouver IDUs and suggest that programs may need to be targeted towards specific populations with poor access.     

Antiretroviral HIV treatment and care for injecting drug users: an evidence-based overview

AIDS-related mortality and the rate of progression to AIDS have dramatically decreased since the advent of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). The overall benefit from antiretroviral HIV treatment has, however, been lesser in HIV-infected injecting drug users (IDUs) than in other patient groups (e.g. men who have sex with men). Poorer outcomes in HIV-infected IDUs are related to a variety of factors, including increased rates of non-HIV-related deaths, hepatitis C, delayed access to effective treatment, lower adherence to care and treatment regimens, continuation of illicit drug use, depression and negative life events. The available evidence strongly suggests the need for the large-scale implementation of comprehensive treatment and care strategies for IDUs that include both treatment of drug dependence and HAART.