Select barriers to harm-reduction services for IDUs in eastern Europe.
Cent Eur J Public Health
; 17(4): 191-7, 2009 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20377047
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In eastern Europe, the high prevalence rates of HIV and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are concentrated among injecting drug users (IDUs). Harm reduction programmes such as needle and syringe programmes and opioid substitution therapy (OST) have been shown to be effective in preventing these infections. However, structural barriers can limit their effectiveness by hindering access.METHODS:
Through use of a semi-structured online survey sent to 65 professionals in the region, this study explores the prevalences of age restrictions, user fees or a lack of confidentiality for these programmes as well as HIV/HCV testing programmes.RESULTS:
Twenty respondents reported that age restrictions were not widespread in the 11 reporting countries, apart from for OST. User fees were found to be very common in HCV testing and varied for other services. It was stated to be common to inform parents of young IDUs who receive HIV services, but not to inform public authorities when IDUs enter harm reduction programmes.CONCLUSION:
Where access to services is limited or confidentiality is compromised, as reported in this pilot study, it is crucial that health-care guidelines and national legislation are reformed to ensure access to these evidence-based interventions.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Abuso de Substâncias por Via Intravenosa
/
Programas de Troca de Agulhas
/
Redução do Dano
/
Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde
/
Metadona
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Health_economic_evaluation
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Cent Eur J Public Health
Assunto da revista:
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2009
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Dinamarca