Principles of HIV Prevention in Drug-Using Populations: A Research-Based Guide

• NCJ Number: 197021
• Author(s): Elizabeth Y. Lambert M.Sc.; Helen K. Cesari M.Sc.; Richard H. Needle Ph.D.; Jack B. Stein Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2002
• Length: 32 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Sale Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Guideline
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This guide contains information on HIV prevention for drug users, answers frequently asked questions from drug users about how they can reduce their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, and reviews the existing research on preventing HIV/AIDS and other infections.

Abstract

The information contained in this guide is based upon scientifically based principles derived from the National Institute on Drug Abuse's (NIDA) comprehensive research concerning the co-occurring epidemics of drug abuse and HIV/AIDS. It summarizes the basic overarching principles that characterize effective HIV/AIDS prevention in drug-using populations, elaborates on these principles by providing answers to frequently asked questions, and describes the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS risk behaviors. Additionally, it contains an overview of major research programs that NIDA has supported since the mid-1980's to gauge the effectiveness of outreach-based interventions to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other drug diseases among drug users and their sex partners. A comprehensive approach, including community outreach, sterile syringe access programs, drug abuse treatment, testing and counseling services, and research, is recommended as the most effective strategy for preventing HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne infections. Statistics concerning at-risk populations who engage in multiple types of drug use show that intravenous drug users have the highest risk for contracting hepatitis B and hepatitis C, in addition to HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, findings from the National AIDS Demonstration Research program, and the Cooperative Agreement for HIV/AIDS Community-Based Outreach/Intervention program, demonstrated that with the help of well-designed prevention programs, drug users can stop using drugs, change their risk behaviors, and reduce their risks for acquiring or transmitting the HIV/AIDS infection. Lists of resources, publications, funding opportunities, and research monographs are also provided.