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. 2019 Aug 1;81(4):e99-e103.
doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002062.

Sharing of Injection Drug Preparation Equipment Is Associated With HIV Infection: A Cross-sectional Study

Laura J Ball  1 , Klajdi Puka  2 , Mark Speechley  2 , Ryan Wong  1 , Brian Hallam  2 , Joshua C Wiener  2 , Sharon Koivu  3 , Michael S Silverman  1
Affiliations

Sharing of Injection Drug Preparation Equipment Is Associated With HIV Infection: A Cross-sectional Study

Laura J Ball et al. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. .

Abstract

Background: Sharing needles/syringes and sexual transmission are widely appreciated as means of HIV transmission among persons who inject drugs (PWIDs). London, Canada, is experiencing an outbreak of HIV among PWIDs, despite a large needle/syringe distribution program and low rates of needle/syringe sharing.

Objective: To determine whether sharing of injection drug preparation equipment (IDPE) is associated with HIV infection.

Methods: Between August 2016 and June 2017, individuals with a history of injection drug use and residence in London were recruited to complete a comprehensive questionnaire and HIV testing.

Results: A total of 127 participants were recruited; 8 were excluded because of failure to complete HIV testing. The remaining 35 HIV-infected (cases) and 84 HIV-uninfected (controls) participants were assessed. Regression analysis found that sharing IDPE, without sharing needles/syringes, was strongly associated with HIV infection (adjusted odds ratio: 22.1, 95% confidence interval: 4.51 to 108.6, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Sharing of IDPE is a risk factor for HIV infection among PWIDs, even in the absence of needle/syringe sharing. Harm reduction interventions to reduce HIV transmission associated with this practice are urgently needed.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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