HIV Prevention Success in Rhode Island
Author Information
Author(s): Beckwith Curt G, Moreira Carla C, Aboshady Hesham M, Zaller Nickolas, Rich Josiah D, Flanigan Timothy P
Primary Institution: Brown Medical School, Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital
Hypothesis
The dramatic decline in IDU-related new HIV diagnoses in Rhode Island is related to extensive HIV prevention efforts targeting IDUs.
Conclusion
There has been a greater decline in IDU-related new HIV diagnoses in Rhode Island compared to national data.
Supporting Evidence
- New HIV diagnoses related to injection drug use have declined in the United States.
- Rhode Island implemented multiple HIV prevention interventions targeting IDUs from 1995–2000.
- The number of IDU-related new HIV diagnoses declined from 365 in 1990 to 13 in 2003.
Takeaway
Rhode Island has successfully reduced new HIV cases among drug users by providing clean syringes and education about HIV prevention.
Methodology
A retrospective analysis of new HIV diagnoses according to risk category from 1990–2003 using two databases.
Potential Biases
Potential for duplicate reporting due to changes in HIV reporting methods.
Limitations
The decrease in IDU-related new HIV diagnoses could be due to factors other than the harm reduction programs described.
Participant Demographics
78% male and 22% female among new HIV diagnoses in 1990.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website