Paone D, Des Jarlais DC, Caloir S, Friedmann P; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 748 (abstract no. PO-C24-3188).
Beth Israel Medical Center, NY, NY.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of syringe exchange programs on needle sharing behaviors in a high seroprevalence area. METHODS: As part of the evaluation of recently established legal needle exchange programs in NYC, a face-to-face interview which included self-reported needle sharing behaviors was administered to injecting drug users (IDUs). Data collected included pre-needle exchange sharing behaviors (i.e., 30 days prior to using the exchange) and current sharing behaviors (i.e., during the last 30 days). Results are presented for those participants on whom both prior and current needle sharing behavior data were collected (N = 196). Data were analyzed using McNemar Chi-Square tests and paired t-tests. RESULTS: IDUs participating in the study were ethnically diverse (33% Latino, 33% White and 32% African American). The mean age of the participants was 35, SD = 7.8, range = 1 degree-60. 68% were male, 32% were female. Participants had been using the needle exchange for an average of 8.5 months. The average length of injection was 16 years. No significant differences were observed in the average number of injections per month (p = .7, prior rate = 87, current rate = 88). A significant number of participants reported a decrease in needle risk behaviors; borrowing used needles (p < .001, 31% prior, 19% current), renting or buying used needles (p < .001, 26% prior, 10% current). The number of IDUs who reported using alcohol pads when injecting increased significantly (p < .001, 24% prior, 66% current). CONCLUSION: The results from this evaluation of needle exchange programs in NYC, with a seroprevalence rate of 50% for IDUs, demonstrate that use of syringe exchange is associated with lower rates of sharing and with higher use of alcohol pads. Furthermore, the data indicate no differences in frequency of drug injection. These findings are consistent with international studies which have shown that exposure to harm reduction strategies and access to clean equipment lowers high risk behaviors for HIV infection.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Female
- HIV Infections
- Male
- Needle Sharing
- Needle-Exchange Programs
- Needles
- New York City
- Risk Reduction Behavior
- Risk-Taking
- Seroepidemiologic Studies
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Substance-Related Disorders
- Syringes
Other ID:
UI: 102206485
From Meeting Abstracts