title: Reducing injecting-related injury and diseases in people who inject drugs: Results from a clinician-led brief intervention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The burden of disease associated with injecting-related injury and diseases (IRIDs) is significant among people who inject drugs (PWID).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate a clinician-led brief intervention involving safer injecting messages and demonstration of safer injecting techniques at the time of venepuncture for serological testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a before and after evaluation study. History of IRIDs and injecting-related risk behaviours were assessed and compared at baseline and follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-eight participants completed the pre-intervention and post-intervention evaluation surveys. Compared to baseline, at follow-up fewer participants reported not cleaning their hands prior to injecting (16% cf 31%; P = 0.039); more reported applying a tourniquet correctly (38% cf 24%; P = 0.008), never missing a vein (56% cf 31%; P = 0.007), and applying pressure for at least one to two minutes after injecting (33% cf 13%;  P = 0.035).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The intervention was found to be feasible, justifying its inclusion into routine clinical care. We recommend that other health services targeting PWID implement similar interventions.
authors.forename: Mihaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ivan
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Maher
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: van Beek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D005260:Female; D063373:Hand Hygiene / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000379:methods*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult