Abstract

PIP: Health authorities in the Soviet Union have attempted to downplay the prevalence of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Soviet population and to suppress the publication of scientific articles on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nonetheless, there is some evidence that the USSR may have more AIDS cases than any other country in Europe. Particularly prevalent are cases of Kaposi's sarcoma in persons under 40 years of age. It is hypothesized that the multi-use of medical hypodermic needles represents the major vehicle of HIV transmission in the Soviet Union. Also increasing at an alarming rate in the USSR is the prevalence of hepatitis B infection, and this phenomenon appears related to the low quality of sterilization of instruments in USSR medical facilities and the reuse of hypodermic needles. Not only are single-use hypodermic needles unavailable, but there is a severe shortage of nondisposable needles. In most Western countries, the availability of disposable needles and sterilization equipment has confined needle-transmitted HIV infection to the intravenous drug user population. If the further spread of HIV infection in the Soviet Union is to be prevented, it is essential that medical facilities in areas where hepatitis B is widespread adopt the use of single-use hypodermics.