Drug use and HIV-1 infection: report from the second Italian multicenter study

Article Abstract:

A study was begun in October 1988 involving 1,038 individuals from 48 public health centers which provide assistance for drug dependency in Italy. The frequency of infection with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), as determined by the presence of antibodies to HIV in the blood (seropositivity), among these intravenous drug users was 38 percent (395 out of 1,038). The likelihood of infection went up the longer the individual had been using intravenous drugs, with an 1 percent increase in incidence for every month of use. As might be expected, the other risk factors included the frequency of sharing needles and syringes and having sexual intercourse with a partner who was infected. There was a five-year time difference between the start of intravenous drug use, which is usually associated with the sharing of equipment, and when the individuals first went to the drug dependency health center. After going to the drug center, many of the subjects reported changing their behavior to include safer means of drug use. Preventive measures to reduce HIV infectivity among intravenous drug users must not only try to prevent drug use but also to reduce practices that are high-risk for infectivity, such as the sharing of syringes and needles and sexual intercourse with infected partners. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Risk behaviors for HIV-1 infection in Italian drug users: report from a multicenter study

Article Abstract:

In Italy, over 70 percent of the individuals with AIDS are intravenous drug users (IVDUs). Infection of IVDUs with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a serious public health problem. Although infection is generally transmitted through the sharing of contaminated syringes and needles, infection is also spread by sexual relationships, which carry HIV to the general population. A study was conducted in June 1987 with 1,363 drug users attending 34 public centers for drug dependency throughout Italy. Overall, 37 percent of the subjects had antibodies to HIV, indicating infection with the virus. Sharing of used syringes and needles and the preparation of drugs with used syringes and needles were risk factors for infection of IVDUs, while sexual lifestyle, such as heterosexuality, bisexuality or homosexuality, and the number of sexual partners, was not. However, there were low numbers of homosexuals and bisexuals in the study. Individuals who had antibodies to the virus reported changes in their behavior after diagnosis; change occurred more frequently in methods of drug use than in sexual lifestyle. Therefore, it is thought that drug users are able to make changes in their lifestyles to prevent HIV infection and that prevention programs must reach IVDUs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, AIDS (Disease)

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HIV prevention among injecting drug users: three years of experience from a syringe exchange program in Sweden

Article Abstract:

In 1986, a needle and syringe exchange program was begun in Lund, Sweden, to help prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by the sharing of contaminated equipment for illicit intravenous drug use. (HIV infection is the cause of AIDS.) In the three years since the program was initiated, 979 drug users have participated, with 182 having participated on a regular basis. The percentage of intravenous drug users who have antibodies against HIV has remained at approximately one percent in this region, and an epidemic of HIV infection has not occurred. This rate is a sharp contrast to the 60 percent HIV prevalence rate among intravenous drug users in other parts in Scandinavia. No one participating in the syringe exchange program in Lund developed HIV infection during the three-year period. Further, a reduction in the high-risk behavior of sharing needles and syringes has been reported in this town. The exchange program has also been the first contact some intravenous drug users have had with a drug rehabilitation program. Therefore, the needle and syringe exchange program has been successful in reducing the incidence of HIV infection and directing some intravenous drug users to rehabilitation programs. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Sweden, Prevention, HIV (Viruses), HIV, Needle exchange programs

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