Illicit injection drug users who take part in needle exchange programs are less likely than other injection drug users to engage in drug-related behaviors that increase the risk of HIV transmission, researchers report in the Journal of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndromes.

Dr. Lawrence Ouellet and colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago note that there have been mixed results from studies that have evaluated needle exchange programs and their impact on bloodborne infections.

To investigate further, the researchers studied Chicago area drug users. Five hundred fifty-eight subjects received at least half of their needles from a needle exchange program and 175 did not use a needle exchange program.

Compared with nonusers, needle exchange program users were about one third as likely to share needles and less than half as likely to lend used needles, share cookers or water. They were also 85 percent less likely to use a needle for more than one injection.

Even among those who shared needles, needle exchange program users were more likely to do so for significantly fewer injections overall, and to always use bleach to clean used needles.

Thus, the researchers conclude that “regular needle exchange program use is associated with less frequent and lower risk HIV injection risk practices.”

SOURCE: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, September 1, 2004.