Public health interventionists, penny capitalists, or sources of risk?: assessing street syringe sellers in Hartford, Connecticut.
Improved access to sterile syringes decreases risks related to blood-borne transmission of HIV and hepatitis among injection drug users (IDUs). While syringe exchange programs and pharmacy sales of over-the-counter syringes have received considerable attention from researchers and interventionists during the past decade, little is known about informal economy street syringe sellers. In Hartford, CT. as well as other regions throughout the United States a large percentage of IDUs utilize street sellers to facilitate their injection activities. A qualitative and ethnographic study was conducted in Hartford between 1999 and 2001 to help elucidate the public health risks and benefits of street syringe sellers.
Stopka
Thomas J
TJ
The Hispanic Health Council, Hartford, Connecticut 06106, USA.
Singer
Merrill
M
Santelices
Claudia
C
Eiserman
Julie
J
D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003132:Commerce; D003237:Connecticut; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D015397:Program Evaluation; D015980:Public Health Practice; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000821:virology*; D013594:Syringes / Q000600:supply & distribution* / Q000821:virology