Utilization of preventive health services by HIV-seronegative injection drug users.
Little is known about the use of preventive health services by HIV-seronegative IDUs. This study examines screening and preventive health services use by two populations of HIV-seronegative IDUs recruited from a needle exchange program and methadone program. We found high rates of HIV and tuberculin skin testing in the past year as well as tetanus vaccination among both groups of IDUs. Hepatitis B and C testing was significantly higher in the methadone group than the needle exchange group. Syphilis testing and pneumovax administration was disappointingly low in both groups. Given the burden of disease among IDUs, our findings suggest the need for a distinct set of testing and vaccination guidelines for the HIV-seronegative IDU population.
McGarry
Kelly A
KA
Division of General Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence 02903, USA. kmcgarry@lifespan.org
Stein
Michael D
MD
Clarke
Jennifer G
JG
Friedmann
Peter D
PD
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012237:Rhode Island; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D008691:Methadone