A DECLINE IN HIV-INFECTED NEEDLES RETURNED TO NEW-HAVENS NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM - CLIENT SHIFT OR NEEDLE EXCHANGE

The New Haven needle exchange program experienced a significant declin e in the fraction of returned needles containing human immunodeficienc y virus 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA. Is this decline due to the operations of the needle exchange or to a shift in clients? Analysis of demograph ic and behavioral data revealed that only one variable, the race of pa rticipating clients, changed significantly over time. However, HIV-1 p revalences in needles given to Whites and to non-Whites were not stati stically different. Thus, client shift cannot be responsible for the d ecline in the observed HIV prevalence in needles. Instead, needle circ ulation times were a significant predictor of HIV prevalence.