Responding to HIV Infection Associated With Drug Injecting in Eastern Europe

• NCJ Number: 175629
• Journal: Drug and Alcohol Review Volume: 17 Issue: 4 Dated: December 1998 Pages: 453-463
• Author(s): D Burrows; T Rhodes; F Trautmann; M Bijl; G V Stimson; Y Sarankov; A Ball; C Fitch
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This article describes the spread of HIV infection among drug injectors in Eastern Europe, harm reduction strategies, and a prevention training program.

Abstract

In some countries in Eastern Europe, the spread of HIV infection associated with drug injecting has been rapid. While several cities have established HIV prevention programs, there is still a need to introduce public health technologies and strengthen existing capacity for rapidly assessing and responding to emerging HIV epidemics. This article describes Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) as a strategy to develop harm-reduction responses. RAR is a methodology developed by the World Health Organization Program on Substance Abuse to assist in rapidly assessing the individual, social, and environmental factors related to HIV transmission among intravenous drug users so as to develop appropriate public health responses. It also describes an HIV prevention training program in the Russian Federation the purpose of which is to assist health professionals. Table, references