ASSESSING HIV PREVENTION AMONG INJECTING DRUG-USERS IN EUROPEAN-COMMUNITY COUNTRIES - A REVIEW

By Septemer 30th 1991, 19 579 cases of AIDS among injecting drug users had been reported in Europe. HIV seroprevalence rates among drug inje ctors vary from less than 5% in some cities, to over 50% in others. Si nce the estimated number of drug injectors in Europe is between 750000 and 1.000000, HIV is a considerable threat to drug injectors, their s ex partners and their off-spring, affecting large numbers of citizens in the European region. This paper gives an overview of the magnitude of the drugs/AIDS problem in the European region, and the concrete mea sures that have been taken to prevent HIV infection among drug users. Data from the evaluation of methadone programmes, needle and syringe e xchange schemes and data on sexual behaviour change of drug users are critically reviewed. Limitations of the methods used for the evaluatio n of prevention activities are also discussed. Based on all the materi al reviewed, the main conclusions are the following: AIDS is a greater threat to public health than problem drug use, more accurate and reli able evaluation methods need to be utilized at European Community leve l, a combination of prevention measures should be used in ordet to red uce the further spread of HIV infection among injecting drug users.