Tw. Valente et al., Needle-exchange participation, effectiveness, and policy: Syringe relay, gender, and the paradox of public health, J URBAN H, 78(2), 2001, pp. 340-349
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health
Journal title
JOURNAL OF URBAN HEALTH-BULLETIN OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE
Needle-exchange programs (NEPs) have been politically controversial, and mo
st studies have focused on evaluating their effectiveness on human immunode
ficiency virus (HIV) transmission rates with little emphasis on the process
of how they are used. This article shows that the way intravenous drug use
rs use NEPs may influence their effectiveness. Using data from Baltimore's
NEP, participants (N = 2,574) were classified as low, medium, and high user
s based on the volume, frequency, and duration of contact with the NEP. Hig
her NEP use was associated with shorter syringe circulation times and less
syringe relay, returning syringes to the NEP originally acquired by someone
else. For a subsample that was HIV tested (N = 262), syringe relay among w
omen was associated with HIV seroconversion (at a 95% confidence interval).
We conclude that exclusive use of the NEP (no relay) provides greater HIV
protection than NEP use involving syringe relay. The paradox is that public
health goals will not be achieved by prohibiting syringe relay activities
and promoting exclusive use. NEPs should broaden their education efforts to
have participants understand the value of repeated visits to the NEP.