title: Calgary's needle exchange program: profile of injection drug users.
abstract: This report provides a baseline description of a sample of injection drug users who are clients of a needle exchange program in Calgary, Alberta. The results of the study suggest a relatively older, predominantly male clientele who reported heavy and sustained use of drugs, particularly cocaine. Despite a high level of awareness of the basic modes of HIV transmission, many respondents still engaged in high risk injection practices and/or sexual practices. In addition, self-perception of risk was much lower than reported behaviour would indicate. Three percent of the sample were HIV+ at the time of the interview. In addition to providing a baseline for further evaluation, the results of this study can be used by program planners to target interventions more effectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, ON.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Elnitsky
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Abernathy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009339:Needles / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology