Abstract
Injecting drug use is a major risk factor for the acquisition and transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Prevention of these infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) is critical to reduce ongoing transmission, morbidity and mortality. A review of reviews was undertaken involving systematic literature searches of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsychINFO, IBSS and the Cochrane Library (2000–2011) to identify English language reviews regarding the effectiveness of harm reduction interventions in relation to HIV transmission, HCV transmission and injecting risk behaviour (IRB). Interventions included needle and syringe programmes (NSP); the provision of injection paraphernalia; opiate substitution treatment (OST); information, education and counselling (IEC); and supervised injecting facilities (SIFs). Reviews were classified into ‘core’ or ‘supplementary’ using critical appraisal criteria, and the strength of review-level evidence was assessed.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 34-52 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | International Journal of Drug Policy |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 23 Aug 2013 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 2014 |
Keywords
- people who inject drugs
- HIV
- Hepatitis C
- harm reduction