Evaluation of harm reduction programs on seroincidence of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis among intravenous drug users in southwest China.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted harm reduction program by comparing seroincidence rates of HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and syphilis before and after implementation of harm reduction strategies among intravenous drug users (IDUs) in a drug-trafficking city in Southwest China. This is a prospective cohort study with 24 months of follow-up. Two prospective cohorts (cohort 2002-2004 and cohort 2006-2008) were followed up every 6 months for seroconversions of HIV, HCV, and syphilis antibodies and HBV surface antigen. After implementation of harm reduction strategies in Xichang city, Sichuan province, the HIV incidence rate among IDUs significantly dropped from 2.5 to 0.6 cases per 100 person-years. Subanalyses also indicated that the incidence rate of HBV significantly declined from 14.2 to 8.8 cases per 100 person-years. No significant changes in the seroincidence rates of HCV or syphilis were detected after implementation of IDU harm reduction strategies. Harm reduction strategies may help reduce the high incidence of certain blood-borne infectious diseases and sexual transmitted diseases among high-risk IDUs in southwest China. Additional research is needed on the implementation and evaluation of harm reduction strategies in China.

Citation

Yuhua Ruan, Shu Liang, Junling Zhu, Xudong Li, Stephen W Pan, Qianping Liu, Benli Song, Qixing Wang, Hui Xing, Yiming Shao. Evaluation of harm reduction programs on seroincidence of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis among intravenous drug users in southwest China. Sexually transmitted diseases. 2013 Apr;40(4):323-8

PMID: 23486498

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