Potential for medical transmission of HIV in Ethiopia.
The potential medical transmission of HIV through unsafe medical injections was evaluated in 16 rural health institutions in Ethiopia. Most institutions reported re-using disposable needle/syringes, and 12% of observed injections were given with used, disposable syringes prepared for re-use. Analysis of used needle flushes showed no HIV RNA; however, the sensitivity of our method was limited. Despite the re-use of disposable needles, medical injection practices are not likely to contribute significantly to HIV transmission in this region.
Priddy
Frances
F
Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Tesfaye
Fikru
F
Mengistu
Yohannes
Y
Rothenberg
Richard
R
Fitzmaurice
Dorothy
D
Mariam
Damen Haile
DH
del Rio
Carlos
C
Oli
Kebede
K
Worku
Alemayehu
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004209:Disposable Equipment / Q000821:virology; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles / Q000821:virology; D013242:Sterilization / Q000592:standards; D013594:Syringes