出版社：Institute on Global Drug Policy & the International Scientific and Medical Forum on Drug Abuse
摘要：HIV transmission by contaminated needles and syringes among injecting drug users (IDUs) is one of the three main modes of transmission that fuel the HIV pandemic. Needle exchange programmes (NEPs) were adopted to reduce HIV transmission in this risk group. The aim of this review was to investigate evidence for the effectiveness of NEPs. Literature searches were conducted covering articles published until December 2005. In the final selection only studies using HIV incidence or prevalence data as outcome variables were included. Nine studies presented data addressing the effect of NEPs on HIV incidence. Seven of these studies showed no significant effect, one showed a positive and one an unfavourable effect. Three looked at HIV prevalence at baseline, all showing an unfavourable effect. The method used in three ecological studies that investigated changes in HIV prevalence in cities with and without NEPs have drawbacks, and the results should not be used as evidence for the effectiveness of NEPs. The effectiveness of NEPs to prevent HIV transmission among IDUs is overrated in previous reviews. The conclusion that NEPs are the superior method for preventing HIV transmission among IDUs may have delayed the implementation of more effective and integrated methods
关键词：HIV; needle exchange; incidence; prevalence; injecting drug users
