NCJ Number
232371
Date Published
2010
Length
80 pages
Annotation
Operational guidelines are presented for providing injecting drug users (IDUs) with regular medical examinations and testing for HIV, viral hepatitis, and several other infections; and a recommended package of prevention and primary care is presented for IDUs regarding infections for which they are at risk.
Abstract
Some stated objectives of provider-initiated examination, testing, and counseling for IDUs are to improve their general health; improve the uptake of testing for HIV and other drug-related infections; increase IDUs' access to treatment for HIV and other infectious diseases; improve the diagnosis of chronic infections that need specialist care; and increase vaccination coverage among IDUs. Other stated objectives are to encourage IDUs to be more actively engaged in their own health care, improve IDUs' access to prevention counseling and information; and improve surveillance of HIV infection, hepatitis, and other infections in IDUs. Guidelines are provided for a voluntary medical examination, testing and counseling. It is recommended that health providers initiate examination, testing, and counseling for IDUs in different health settings, including primary health care, special health services for IDUs, low threshold service centers visited by IDUs, rehabilitation centers, dedicated sexually transmitted infections clinics, and prison health care facilities. The development of these guidelines has been based on an ongoing review of materials that include research reports, position statements, policy documents, journal articles, and clinical guidelines. The recommendations are generally based on good clinical practice and information from epidemiological and other studies involving IDUs. 68 references