title: Evaluation of harm reduction programs on seroincidence of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis among intravenous drug users in southwest China.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a multifaceted harm reduction program by comparing seroincidence rates of HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and syphilis before and after implementation of harm reduction strategies among intravenous drug users (IDUs) in a drug-trafficking city in Southwest China.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective cohort study with 24 months of follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two prospective cohorts (cohort 2002-2004 and cohort 2006-2008) were followed up every 6 months for seroconversions of HIV, HCV, and syphilis antibodies and HBV surface antigen.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After implementation of harm reduction strategies in Xichang city, Sichuan province, the HIV incidence rate among IDUs significantly dropped from 2.5 to 0.6 cases per 100 person-years. Subanalyses also indicated that the incidence rate of HBV significantly declined from 14.2 to 8.8 cases per 100 person-years. No significant changes in the seroincidence rates of HCV or syphilis were detected after implementation of IDU harm reduction strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Harm reduction strategies may help reduce the high incidence of certain blood-borne infectious diseases and sexual transmitted diseases among high-risk IDUs in southwest China. Additional research is needed on the implementation and evaluation of harm reduction strategies in China.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Yuhua
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ruan
authors.forename: Shu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Junling
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Qianping
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Benli
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Qixing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Yiming
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D040261:Harm Reduction; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*