SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.18 suppl.2Matrix analysis of the client's voice: QFD applied to healthcare managementOn the clients of public health organizations author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

Share


Gaceta Sanitaria

Print version ISSN 0213-9111

Abstract

BRAVO, María J.  and  GRUPO DE TRABAJO DE MEDICOS DEL MUNDO PARA EL CONTROL DE LA INFECCION POR VIH Y LAS PRACTICAS DE RIESGO EN INYECTORES DE DROGAS et al. Prevalence of indirect sharing of drug-injecting paraphernalia in Galicia, Madrid, Seville and Valencia (Spain). Gac Sanit [online]. 2004, vol.18, suppl.2, pp.472-478. ISSN 0213-9111.

Objectives: To study drug-injecting practices, particularly indirect sharing of injecting paraphernalia (ISIP), and sexual risk behavior. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 1638 users of needle exchange programs (NEPs). Different types of ISIP were studied: taking diluted drugs in a syringe used by others, placing the needle in a recipient with other used needles, and reusing cleaning liquid previously used by others. Results: The prevalence of injecting with syringes already used by others was 16% in Galicia, 4.7% in Madrid, 17.6% in Seville and 13.2% in Valencia (p < 0.001). With geographical variations, other types of ISIP (Galicia: 32.4%; Madrid: 28.5%; Seville: 42.6%; Valencia: 27.4% -p < 0.001-) were more frequent than injecting with syringes already used by others (Galicia: 32.4%; Madrid: 28.5%; Seville: 42.6%; Valencia: 27.4% -p < 0.001-). The percentage not injecting with syringes used by others but performing ISIP was 21.7%, 25.3%, 28.2% and 18.1% (p < 0.01) respectively. In all geographical areas, sexual risk practices were more prevalent with steady sex partners (68.6%, 72.0%, 77.8%, 72.8% [NS]) than with casual partners (36.6%, 40.9%, 37.9%, 23.9% [NS]). Among injectors with a stable partner, 81.3% in Galicia, 75.9% in Madrid, 86.1% in Seville and 79.7% in Valencia reported that his/her serological status was negative for HIV or was unknown (p < 0.001). Conclusions: ISIP is more prevalent than injection with syringes already used by others. For a substantial percentage of injectors, ISIP is the only risk practice. ISIP and the low use of condoms, particularly with steady partners, could be a contributory factor to the spread of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus infection.

Keywords : Drug injection; Risk practices; HIV; HCV; HBV.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish

 

Creative Commons License All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License