Document 0182
 DOCN  M9590182
 TI    Research into injecting drug use through needle exchanges.
 DT    9509
 AU    Wodak A; Macdonald M; Crofts N; Dolan K; Ali R; Loxley W; Alcohol and
       Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst,; NSW.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1994 Nov 3-6;6:97 (unnumbered
       abstract). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM6/95291917
 AB    This study aims to develop an affordable, systematic technique to enable
       regular monitoring and surveillance of risk behaviour and sero-incidence
       and sero-prevalence of blood borne viral infections (HIV, hepatitis B
       and C) among injecting drug users (IDUs) attending needle and syringe
       exchange programmes (NSEPs) in all states and territories in Australia.
       A pilot study, conducted in three Sydney metropolitan NSEPs in February
       1994, using several alternative questionnaires and both saliva and blood
       samples, demonstrated that the feasibility and acceptability of the
       protocol, confirmed the low prevalence of HIV among IDUs with no history
       of male to male sexual contact and demonstrated the acceptability of the
       various questionnaires. Organisations of IDUs were involved in the
       design and implementation of the pilot and will be involved in the
       definitive project. This study, if funded, is believed to be the first
       of its kind in the world. A steering committee comprises researchers,
       clinicians and service providers and representatives of IDUs.
 DE    Australia/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Hepatitis B/PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION
       Hepatitis C/PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  Human  HIV
       Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*TRANSMISSION  HIV Seroprevalence/TRENDS
       Needle-Exchange Programs/*UTILIZATION  Pilot Projects  *Population
       Surveillance  Risk Factors  Substance Abuse,
       Intravenous/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/REHABILITATION  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).