Objective: To assess HIV risk behavior among participants in syringe exchanges in five Russian cities- Nizhny Novogorod, Pskov, Rostov-Na-Donu, St. Petersburg, and Volgograd. Methods: 1076 subjects were recruited from the five exchanges. Structured questionnaires covering drug use and HIV risk behavior were administered by trained interviewers. Injection risk behaviors were assessed for the 30 days prior to interview (while using the syringe exchange program) and for the 30 days prior to first use of the syringe exchange program. Results: Participants in the syringe exchange programs tended to be young and to have short injection histories. Relatively low percentages of participants reported recent "injecting with needles and syringes used by others" in the past 30 days, from 3% to 29% across the five programs, with a mean of 11%. These represented substantial reductions from the percentages of subjects reporting "injecting with needles and syringes used by others" in the 30 days prior to first use of the syringe exchange-from 26% to 48%, with a mean of 38%. The percentages of subjects reporting past 30 day sharing of cottons, cookers and rinse water were much higher, from 53% to 90%, with a mean of 73%. Conclusions: IDUs participating in the exchanges appear to be responding very positively in reducing sharing of needles and syringes. The percentages of subjects reporting recent receptive syringe sharing are similar to those in effective syringe exchange programs in other countries. Syringe exchange and other HIV prevention programs for injecting drug users in Russia should be expanded.
Learning Objectives: Five Russian cities- Nizhny Novogorod, Pskov, Rostov-Na-Donu, St. Petersburg, and Volgograd.
Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injection Drug Users
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Five Russian cities- Nizhny Novogorod, Pskov, Rostov-Na-Donu, St. Petersburg, and Volgograd.
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.