Donoghoe M, Dolan KA, Stimson GV; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1990 Jun 20-23; 6: 418 (abstract no. 3066).
Centre for Research on Drugs and Health Behaviour, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, London, England
OBJECTIVE: To assess the national development of syringe-exchanges in the UK since the 1978/88 pilot programme. METHOD: Data collected from 700 clients attending 18 syringe-exchanges providing free injecting equipment in England, April-September 1989, and compared with clients attending 1987/88. RESULTS: In 1989 35% were first time attenders. Many clients did not utilise the service primarily for HIV prevention. There were no improvements in the attraction of younger clients (mean age 1987/88 27.8 years; 1989 28.1 years); shorter term injectors (mean length use 1987/88 8 years; 1989 8.6 years) or women (21% in both studies female). The 1987/88 clients had less contact with other drug services (26% compared with 45%). Reported syringe sharing rates (21% shared in the previous four weeks) were lower in 1989 than 1987/88 (range 27% to 36%). Many clients were sexually active (82% in the previous year). In 1987/88 80% were sexually active in the previous three months. CONCLUSIONS: Syringe-exchanges continued to attract new clients in 1989, but difficulties in attracting some groups indicate the need for innovative service development. Trends to lower sharing rates are evidence of the importance of syringe supply in HIV prevention.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- England
- Female
- Human Development
- Humans
- Needle Sharing
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Syringes
- methods
Other ID:
UI: 102197257
From Meeting Abstracts