Changes in the injecting risk behaviour of injecting drug users in London, 1990-1993

Abstract

The data indicate that IDU in London have made positive reductions in risk behaviour. Levels of syringe sharing were substantially lower than those reported up to 1987 before AIDS awareness and the introduction of HIV prevention measures. The majority did not share syringes or confined their sharing to close friends and sexual partners, and if shared, cleaned their syringes. Continuation of indirect sharing indicates the need for more detailed prevention messages. While the initial decline in syringe-sharing rates may be attributed to the wide availability of sterile injecting equipment and other preventive measures, it may now be necessary to look beyond current intervention initiatives to develop interventions which seek to change the social etiquette of sharing and move towards the long-term maintenance of low levels of injecting risk behaviour.