Updating the infection risk reduction hierarchy: preventing transition into injection.
Current approaches to prevention of blood-borne infections in injection drug users include referral to drug abuse treatment, access to sterile syringes, bleach disinfection of injection equipment, and education about not sharing equipment. However, rates of some blood-borne infections (e.g., hepatitis C virus) remain elevated among injection drug users, especially early after initiation into injection drug use. With lower infection rates in noninjectors and transition into injection drug use occurring most commonly among these noninjectors, prevention of transition into injection drug use as an additional step to reduce risk for acquisition and transmission of blood-borne infections merits closer attention.
Vlahov
David
D
Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029, USA. dvlahov@nyam.org
Fuller
Crystal M
CM
Ompad
Danielle C
DC
Galea
Sandro
S
Des Jarlais
Don C
DC
D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D018450:Disease Progression; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012309:Risk-Taking; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology