Low and stable prevalence of HIV among drug injectors in Glasgow

A. Taylor*, M. Frischer, S. T. Green, D. Goldberg, N. Mckeganey, L. Gruer

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The first HIV-positive diagnosis among injecting drug users (IDU) in Glasgow was made in 1985. By the end of 1987 prevalence among IDU receiving voluntary attributable tests was 4.8%. Since 1990, an annual cross-sectional survey of HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among 500 current Glasgow IDU has provided a more representative sample. Anonymously-tested saliva samples obtained from respondents revealed prevalence rates of 1.8%, 1.2% and 1.0% in 1990, 1991 and 1992 respectively. Siince 1987 a wide range of measures aimed at reducing HIV-related risk behaviour among IDU has been introduced and maintained in Glasgow. Against this background, there is evidence that IDU in the city have reduced their risk behaviours. The findings reported here suggest that implementing harm-reduction measures when prevalence is low may inhibit the rapid dissemination of HIV.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)105-107
Number of pages3
JournalInternational Journal of STD and AIDS
Volume5
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 1994
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • harm reduction
  • HIV prevalence
  • HIV risk behaviour
  • injecting drug users

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Pharmacology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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