High HIV prevalence among injecting drug users in Estonia: implications for understanding the risk environment

Platt, Lucy; Bobrova, Natalia; Rhodes, Tim; Uusküla, Anneli; Parry, John; Rüütel, Kristi; Talu, Ave; Abel, Katri; Rajaleid, Kristiina; Judd, Ali

doi:10.1097/01.aids.0000247586.23696.20

Cited by 64 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Im Jahr 2006 wurde die Zahl der Neuinfektionen in Osteuropa auf 292.000 geschätzt [15]. Eine besonders hohe Prävalenz wurde über Estland berichtet, dort sind 90 % der Drogenabhängigen mit HIV infiziert [28].…”

Section: Inzidenz Der Hiv-infektion Unter Opioidabhängigenunclassified

Ansprechbarkeit von Drogengebrauchern über Infektionsrisiken für HIV und HCV

Backmund

2007

Bundesgesundheitsbl.

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Since the beginning of the HIV-epidemic, injection drug users (IDUs) have had a high risk of acquiring an infection with HIV. Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is the most common infectious disease among IDUs. About 4 to 6 % of IDUs are HIV positive and more than 60 % are HCV positive. 90 % of HIV-positive IDUs are both HIV positive and HCV positive. Substitution treatment is the most effective prevention of HIV and HCV infection. Both HIV infection and chronic hepatitis C can be treated most successfully during substitution treatment.

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Section: Inzidenz Der Hiv-infektion Unter Opioidabhängigenunclassified

Ansprechbarkeit von Drogengebrauchern über Infektionsrisiken für HIV und HCV

Backmund

2007

Bundesgesundheitsbl.

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“…According to recent estimations, about 10,000 IDUs (70% of the IDUs in the country) reside in the Tallinn area, and about 50% of these IDUs are infected with HIV. 3,6 Despite the high number of IDUs in Estonia, little is known about involving pharmacies into HIV prevention activities and potential barriers. Similarly, in other East European countries, data on pharmacists' and IDUs' attitudes and current practices relating to pharmacists' role in harm reduction strategies are scant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Should Pharmacists have a Role in Harm Reduction Services for IDUs? A Qualitative Study in Tallinn, Estonia

et al. 2009

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Despite the high number of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Estonia, little is known about involving pharmacies into human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention activities and potential barriers. Similarly, in other Eastern European countries, there is a need for additional sources for clean syringes besides syringe exchange programmes (SEPs), but data on current practices relating to pharmacists' role in harm reduction strategies is scant. Involving pharmacies is especially important for several reasons: they have extended hours of operation and convenient locations compared to SEPs, may provide access for IDUs who have avoided SEPs, and are a trusted health resource in the community. We conducted a series of focus groups with pharmacists and IDUs in Tallinn, Estonia, to explore their attitudes toward the role of pharmacists in HIV prevention activities for IDUs. Many, but not all, pharmacists reported a readiness to sell syringes to IDUs to help prevent HIV transmission. However, negative attitudes toward IDUs in general and syringe sales to them specifically were identified as important factors restricting such sales. The idea of free distribution of clean syringes or other injecting equipment and disposal of used syringes in pharmacies elicited strong resistance. IDUs stated that pharmacies were convenient for acquiring syringes due to their extended opening hours and local distribution. IDUs were positive toward pharmacies, although they were aware of stigma from pharmacists and other customers. They also emphasized the need for distilled water and other injection paraphernalia. In conclusion, there are no formal or legislative obstacles for providing HIV prevention services for IDUs at pharmacies. Addressing negative attitudes through educational courses and involving pharmacists willing to be public health educators in high drug use areas would improve access for HIV prevention services for IDUs.

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“…Recent epidemiological studies suggest that blood-borne infections and risk behaviors are also common among IDUs in Southeastern Europe [7,8,9]. The exigencies of the prolonged economic and political transition from a socialist one-party system to a liberal democracy among the countries of the former Yugoslavia have combined into a risk environment conducive to communicable diseases [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Related Risk Factors among Injection Drug Users in Montenegro

Baćak

Laušević²,

Mugoša³

et al. 2012

Eur Addict Res

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Background: In Southeastern Europe, similar to other postsocialist regions on the continent, injection drug users (IDU) are exposed to a high risk of blood-borne infections. In this paper, we report the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV) among IDUs in Montenegro. We also examine the risk factors associated with HCV diagnosis. Methods: In 2008, 322 IDUs in Montenegro participated in a respondent-driven sampling survey. Blood specimens were collected and tested for HIV, HCV and HBV. Behavioral data were collected with self-administered questionnaires. Results: In comparison to 2005, HCV prevalence had increased from an estimated 22 to 53.7%. Only one HIV and no HBV cases were detected. Anti-HCV positivity was associated with the region of origin, income, sharing injection equipment and frequency of injecting drugs. Conclusion: The increasing HCV prevalence among IDUs in Montenegro calls for increased and better designed programs to prevent its further spread and a potential HIV outbreak.

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High HIV prevalence among injecting drug users in Estonia: implications for understanding the risk environment

Cited by 64 publications

References 20 publications

Ansprechbarkeit von Drogengebrauchern über Infektionsrisiken für HIV und HCV

Ansprechbarkeit von Drogengebrauchern über Infektionsrisiken für HIV und HCV

Should Pharmacists have a Role in Harm Reduction Services for IDUs? A Qualitative Study in Tallinn, Estonia

Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Related Risk Factors among Injection Drug Users in Montenegro

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