Yale University

Lower injection-related HIV-1 risk associated with participation in a harm reduction program in Kazan, Russia.

TitleLower injection-related HIV-1 risk associated with participation in a harm reduction program in Kazan, Russia.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2007
AuthorsBadrieva, Larissa, Eugeny Karchevsky, Kevin S. Irwin, and Robert Heimer
JournalAIDS education and prevention : official publication of the International Society for AIDS Education
Volume19
Issue1
Pagination13-23
Date Published2007 Feb
ISSN0899-9546
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Blood-Borne Pathogens, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Harm Reduction, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Needle-Exchange Programs, Program Evaluation, Russia, Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, Substance Abuse, Intravenous
AbstractThis study was carried out to investigate the extent of unsafe practices associated with participation in a harm reduction program in Kazan, Russian Federation. In this cross-sectional study a convenience sample of active drug injectors encountered by the field outreach teams was interviewed. Demographic data and information on injection drug use were obtained using a structured survey instrument. Comparisons between program clients and newly encountered individuals not yet engaged by the program were made. Clients were divided into four groups based on the duration and intensity of their interaction with the program. Clients were found to be less likely than newly encountered injectors to give away or use previously used syringes, more likely to have used a new syringe the last time they injected with others, and more likely to be able to anticipate their need to acquire new syringes. However, the sharing of nonsyringe injection paraphernalia was no different between clients and newly encountered injectors. Despite the limitations of a cross-sectional study, it appears that engagement with the harm reduction program in Kazan was associated with reduction in many aspects of unsafe injecting.
DOI10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03149.x
Alternate JournalAIDS Educ Prev

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