Deakin University
Browse

The prevention of AIDS among injecting drug users

Version 2 2024-06-03, 08:05
Version 1 2017-07-26, 10:46
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-03, 08:05 authored by Beth CrispBeth Crisp, JG Barber
There is great potential for the spread of HIV amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) if they engage in unsafe injecting and sexual practices. This paper identifies a range of obstacles to safe behaviour, includig availability of sterile injecting equipment, legal/policy factors, social norms and personal factors such as ignorance, beliefs, intoxication and craving. Two alternative policy options - harm reduction and use reduction - are discussed along with specific strategies for ameliorating risk. Strategies include drug treatment, provision of sterile injecting equipment, bleach, promoting alternate methods of drug administration, HIV testing and counselling and peer endorsement of safe behaviour. The paper concludes by considering the implications of these policy and programme options at the level of service delivery.

History

Journal

British Journal of Social Work

Volume

27

Pagination

255-274

ISSN

0045-3102

Language

eng

Publication classification

CN.1 Other journal article

Issue

2

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Usage metrics

    Research Publications

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC