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. 2013 Nov;17(9):2878-92.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-013-0593-y.

Effectiveness of structural-level needle/syringe programs to reduce HCV and HIV infection among people who inject drugs: a systematic review

Abu S Abdul-Quader  1 , Jonathan Feelemyer, Shilpa Modi, Ellen S Stein, Alya Briceno, Salaam Semaan, Tara Horvath, Gail E Kennedy, Don C Des Jarlais
Affiliations

Effectiveness of structural-level needle/syringe programs to reduce HCV and HIV infection among people who inject drugs: a systematic review

Abu S Abdul-Quader et al. AIDS Behav. 2013 Nov.

Abstract

Needle-syringe programs (NSP) have been effective in reducing HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) infection among people who inject drugs (PWID). Achieving sustainable reductions in these blood-borne infections requires addressing structural factors so PWID can legally access NSP services. Systematic literature searches collected information on NSP coverage and changes in HIV or HCV infection prevalence or incidence at the population level. Included studies had to document biomarkers (HIV or HCV) coupled with structural-level NSP, defined by a minimum 50 % coverage of PWID and distribution of 10 or more needles/syringe per PWID per year. Fifteen studies reported structural-level NSP and changes in HIV or HCV infection prevalence/incidence. Nine reported decreases in HIV prevalence, six in HCV infection prevalence, and three reported decreases in HIV incidence. The results support NSP as a structural-level intervention to reduce population-level infection and implementation of NSP for prevention and treatment of HIV and HCV infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest Dr. Don Des Jarlais was an investigator on six of the included studies Des Jarlais et al. [–36]. Dr. Des Jarlais affirms that he has no financial or any other tangible interest in his studies being reviewed.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Search terminology for citation search
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Flow chart of literature search for review
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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