Syringe and needle exchange as HIV/AIDS prevention for injection drug users in Puerto Rico

Syringe and needle exchange as HIV/AIDS prevention for injection drug users in Puerto Rico

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the first needle exchange program (NEP) established in Puerto Rico. The data for this study were collected during the first months of the NEP from July 1995 to March 1996 in 13 communities of the San Juan metropolitan area. Subjects were the participants of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health policy (Amsterdam) Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 209 - 220
Main Authors: Robles, Rafaela R, Colón, Héctor M, Matos, Tomás D, Finlinson, H.Ann, Muñoz, Aileen, Marrero, C.Amalia, Garcı́a, Myriam, Reyes, Juan C
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-09-1998
Elsevier
Series:Health Policy
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS
Care and treatment
Data analysis
Drug abuse
Drug addicts
Government programmes
Health policy
Health Services Research
HIV
HIV Infections - prevention & control
HIV Infections - transmission
HIV/AIDS prevention
Humans
Injection drug users
Needle exchange program
Needle-Exchange Programs - standards
Needle-Exchange Programs - statistics & numerical data
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Prevention
Program Evaluation
Public health
Puerto Rico
Social aspects
Statistics
Substance Abuse, Intravenous
Syringe exchange program
Syringes
Puerto Rico
Syringe exchange program
Puerto Rico
HIV/AIDS prevention
Needle exchange program
Injection drug users
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Summary:This study evaluated the effectiveness of the first needle exchange program (NEP) established in Puerto Rico. The data for this study were collected during the first months of the NEP from July 1995 to March 1996 in 13 communities of the San Juan metropolitan area. Subjects were the participants of two modalities of the NEP: a mobile team and a community-based drug treatment program. During the 3-week evaluation period, 2401 injection drug users (IDUs) were recruited, resulting in a total of 19 195 exchange contacts and 146 323 syringes exchanged. No significant change in drug injection was observed. However, the program was effective in reducing sharing of syringes and cookers. The study suggests that the NEP did help in reducing needle sharing in Puerto Rico. However, the HIV seropositivity in returned syringes suggests the need to continue aggressive prevention programs to arrest the epidemic among IDUs. However, factors related to the socio-cultural environment as well as cultural norms and traditions need to be considered when planning and expanding NEPs.
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ISSN:0168-8510
1872-6054
DOI:10.1016/S0168-8510(98)00046-3