Source
Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. jlau@cuhk.edu.hk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate overall effectiveness of human immunodeficiency virus-related prevention programs among injecting drug users in Sichuan, China.
DESIGN:
Behavioral surveillance data were analyzed.
RESULTS:
The coverage rates for various service types increased from 2002--2004. The prevalence of using other's used syringes in the last month decreased from between 24.7% and 54.1% in the baseline years (2002 or 2003) to between 11% and 18.9% in 2004 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.1, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.06-0.2 to OR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-0.9, P <0.05]. Improvements were observed in prevalence of giving used syringes to others for drug injection in the last month (OR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.06-0.1 to OR = 0.7, 95% CI: 0.5-0.9 in 3 counties, P <0.05) etc. Increase in prevalence of condom use with commercial sex partners or nonregular partners were observed in 3 counties (2004 vs. baseline year: OR = 0.2, 95% CI: 0.1-0.5 to OR = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2-0.9, P <0.05) but not for prevalence of condom use with regular sex partners.
CONCLUSION:
The results supported the claim that harm reduction programs targeting injecting drug users have been effective.