Drug abuse treatment as AIDS prevention

Citation
Ds. Metzger et al., Drug abuse treatment as AIDS prevention, PUBL HEAL, 113, 1999, pp. 97-106
Citations number
43
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science","Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health
Journal title
PUBLIC HEALTH
ISSN journal
00333506 → ACNP
Volume
113
Year of publication
1999
Supplement
1
Pages
97 - 106
Database
ISI
SICI code
0033-3506(199906)113:<97:DATAAP>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Objective. As the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic among drug users enters its third decade in the United States, it is important to consider the role played by substance abuse treatment in the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Methods. The authors review the research literature, examining findings fro m studies with behavioral and serologic measures on the association among t reatment participation, HIV risk reduction, and HIV infection. Results. Numerous studies have now documented that significantly lower rate s of drug use and related risk behaviors are practiced by injecting drug us ers (IDUs) who are in treatment. Importantly, these behavioral differences, based primarily on self-report, are consistent with studies that have exam ined HIV seroprevalence and seroincidence among drug users, Conclusion. The underlying mechanism of action suggested by the collective findings of the available literature is rather simple-individuals who enter and remain in treatment reduce their drug use, which leads to fewer instan ces of drug-related risk behavior. This lower rate of exposure results in f ewer infections with HIV, The protective effects of treatment, however, can only be achieved when programs are accessible and responsive to the changi ng needs of drug users. Future research needs to be directed at developing a better understanding of the factors that enhance treatment entry and rete ntion.