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Prevention of HIV Infection among Injection Drug Users in Resource‐Limited Settings

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Injection drug use contributes to considerable global morbidity and mortality associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS and other infections due to blood-borne pathogens through the direct sharing of needles, syringes, and other injection equipment. Of approximately 16 million injection drug users (IDUs) worldwide, an estimated 3 million are HIV infected. The prevalence of HIV infection among IDUs is high in many countries in Asia and eastern Europe and could exacerbate the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. This review summarizes important components of a comprehensive program for prevention of HIV infection in IDUs, including unrestricted legal access to sterile syringes through needle exchange programs and enhanced pharmacy services, treatment for opioid dependence (ie, methadone and buprenorphine treatment), behavioral interventions, and identification and treatment of noninjection drug and alcohol use, which accounts for increased sexual transmission of HIV. Evidence supports the effectiveness of harm-reduction programs over punitive drug-control policies.

Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1086/651482

Authors: David Vlahov, Angela M. Robertson, Steffanie A. Strathdee

Institutions: New York Academy of Medicine, Columbia University, University of California San Diego

Language: English

Topic: HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse