BACKGROUND Needle-syringe exchange programs (NSPs) have been substantially rolled-out in China since 2002. Limited studies reported effectiveness of NSPs in a Chinese setting. This study aimed to assess the association between accessibility to NSPs and drug-use risk behaviors of IDUs by investigating primary (self-reported) data of IDUs recruited from NSP sites, community settings and mandatory...

BACKGROUND Injection drug users represent the largest proportion of all HIV reported cases in Viet Nam. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of risk and risk behaviours among HIV-positive injection drug users, and their experiences related to safe injection and safe sex practices. METHODS This study used multiple qualitative methods in data collection including in-depth interviews, foc...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether enrollment in the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program (NEP) was associated with short-term reduction in risky injection practices. METHODS Demographic information was collected on NEP participants upon enrollment. A systematic sample of enrollees was interviewed at program entry, 2 weeks, and 6 months later on recent drug-related behaviors. Comparisons were perfor...

OBJECTIVE To trace the growth of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) in the United States since 1994-95 and assess the current state of SEPs. METHODS Annual surveys of US SEPs known to North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN). Surveys mailed to executive directors with follow-up interviews by telephone and/or e-mail. Response rates have varied between 70% and 88% since surveys were initia...

objectives: hepatitis c virus (hcv) infection is a major public health problem worldwide with serious complications. according to the importance of intravenous drug use (idu) as the main risk factor for hcv infection and transmission and prison as the main source of risky behaviors, this study conducted to define hcv infection and related risk factors in prison inmates with history of idu in is...

OBJECTIVES Few prospective studies are available on the relationship between incarceration and HIV risk among injection drug users (IDUs). The authors evaluated self-reported rates of syringe sharing and incarceration among a cohort of IDUs. METHODS This study analyzed syringe lending by HIV-infected IDUs and syringe borrowing by HIV-negative IDUs among participants enrolled in the Vancouver ...

AIM This study aimed to examine drug use, drug treatment history and risk behaviour among a sample of Iranian drug users seeking treatment through a general practice clinic in Iran. METHODS Review of medical records and an intake questionnaire at a large general practice in Marvdasht, Iran, with a special interest in drug dependence treatment. Records from a random sample of injecting drug us...

OBJECTIVE For optimal imaging in first-pass radionuclide angiography (FPRNA) studies, 1.11 GBq (30 mCi) 99mTc-sestamibi doses are drawn up in volumes of 0.1-0.3 mL. A single bolus injection of this small volume is important to obtain accurate time-activity curves. Because of the small volume and concentrated radioactivity, it is undesirable for study effectiveness and image quality to have a si...