Infecciones y otros problemas de salud en usuarios de pasta base de cocaina en un centro asistencial de Buenos Aires, Argentina / Infections and other health problems among coca paste users at a drug treatment center in Buenos Aires, Argentina

INTRODUCCIÓN: la pasta base de cocaína (PBC) es una forma fumable de cocaína de creciente utilización entre los jóvenes. OBJETIVO: describir el patrón de consumo de drogas, las seroprevalencias de VIH, hepatitis B (VHB), hepatitis C (VHC), sífilis y otrosproblemas de salud en usuarios de PBC en un centro asistencial de Argentina. MÉTODO: se incluyeron voluntarios mayores de 18 años, asistidos en el Centro Nacional de Reeducación Social (CENARESO)en el período 2006-2007, que consumieron PBC en los 6 meses anteriores a la entrevista y que nunca utilizaron drogas inyectables. Se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado, se tomó una muestra de sangre para serología de VIH, VHB, VHC y sífilis, y se analizó una sub-muestra de radiografías de tórax. RESULTADOS: más de la mitad de los 146 voluntarios manifestó haber fumado PBC varias veces por semana. Los participantes eran también consumidores frecuentes de cocaína en polvo (64%), cannabis (80,8%) y tranquilizantes (44,5%). Los principales problemas de salud auto-percibidos como consecuencia del consumo de PBC fueron las lesiones orales y la pérdida de peso. El 4,3% de los voluntarios resultó VIH-positivo. Las prevalencias de infección por sífilis, VHB y VHC fueron 2,7%, 5,5%, y 5,5%, respectivamente. El 16% estaba coinfectado con uno o más de los agentes estudiados. DISCUSIÓN: la prevalencia de infecciones, unida a otros problemas de salud de los usuarios de PBC, indica la necesidad de nuevas investigaciones a fin de diseñar intervenciones preventivas y terapéuticas apropiadas

INTRODUCTION: cocaine paste is a smokable form of cocaine increasingly used among young people. OBJECTIVE:to describe patterns of drugs, seroprevalences of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), syphilis and other health problems among coca paste users assisted at a drug treatment center in Argentina. METHOD: volunteers, eighteen-year-old and olderassisted at the National Center for Social Re-education (CENARESO)during 2006-2007, who had consumed coca paste over the past 6 months previous to the interview and had never injected drugs, were selected. A structured questionnaire wasused and blood was drawn to test HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis. A sub-sample of thorax X-rays was analyzed. RESULTS: morethan half of the 146 volunteers had smoked coca paste severaltimes a week. The use of other drugs was frequently associated: sniffed cocaine 64%, cannabis 80,8%, and tranquilizers 44,5. Oral lesions and lost of weight were referred as health problems stemming from coca paste use. Out of the 146 volunteers, 4.3%resulted HIV-positive. Prevalences of infection for syphilis, HBV, and HCV were 2,7%, 5,5% and 5,5%, respectively. 16% wasco-infected with one or more infectious agents. DISCUSSION: the prevalence of infections detected, along with other clinical problems found among this coca paste users, show the need for further research, in order to design proper preventive and therapeutic interventions

Access to antiretroviral treatment in Latin American countries and the Caribbean.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the access to antiretroviral therapy in the Latin America and Caribbean region and the main issues involved. METHODS: A review of National AIDS Programmes reports, published studies on HIV access to antiretroviral drugs, and personal communications from National AIDS Programmes in the region. RESULTS: Most countries have, or are in the process of developing, laws and regulations to ensure better access to antiretroviral drugs for people in need. However, there are still many countries that either have not implemented policies or do not have policies. There has been an important decrease in the cost of drugs, but prices are still too high for all countries to afford them. The benefits in decreased mortality and hospitalizations in the countries with high coverage are significant. The number of people receiving antiretroviral therapy has been estimated to be close to 170,000 individuals; however, this figure only represents a fraction of the people in need in the region. Some different strategies will have to be implemented in order to increase coverage. CONCLUSION: Renewed efforts are needed from both governments and international community organizations to strengthen the health services and increase access to antiretroviral drugs.