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Evidence summaries

Needle-Change Programs for Prevention of HIV Infection

Needle exchange programs may be effective in reducing HIV incidence among injecting drug users. Level of evidence: "C"

A systematic review 1 including 214 studies was abstracted in DARE. 81 cities had both HIV seroprevalence figures for more than 1 year and information on needle exchange programme (NEP) implementation.

In cities with NEPs, HIV seroprevalence among injecting drug users decreased by 5.8% on average, whereas in cities without NEPs, HIV seroprevalence increased by 5.9%. The average annual change in seroprevalence was 11% lower in cities with NEPs (95% CI -17.6% to -3.9%, p=0.004).

    References

    • Hurley SF, Jolley DJ, Kaldor JM. Effectiveness of needle-exchange programmes for prevention of HIV infection. Lancet 1997 Jun 21;349(9068):1797-800. [PubMed][DARE]

Primary/Secondary Keywords