A syringe exchange programme in prison as prevention strategy against HIV infection and hepatitis B and C in Berlin, Germany.
Epidemiol Infect
; 134(4): 814-9, 2006 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16371183
ABSTRACT
In two prisons in Berlin, Germany, provision of sterile injection equipment for injecting drug users (IDUs) started in 1998. To assess the programme's impact, the frequency of injecting drug use and syringe sharing, and the incidence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infection were determined in a follow-up study. Of all IDUs (n=174), 75% continued to inject. After the project start the level of syringe sharing declined from 71% during a 4-month period of previous imprisonment to 11% during the first 4 months of follow-up, and to virtually zero thereafter. Baseline seroprevalences for HIV, HBV, and HCV were 18, 53, and 82%. HIV and HCV seroprevalence at baseline was significantly associated with drug injection in prison prior to the project start. No HIV and HBV seroconversions, but four HCV seroconversions occurred. The provision of syringes for IDUs in appropriate prison settings may contribute to a substantial reduction of syringe sharing. However, the prevention of HCV infection requires additional strategies.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Prisões
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Infecções por HIV
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Hepatite C
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Programas de Troca de Agulhas
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Hepatite B
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2006
Tipo de documento:
Article