Abstract
We tested the syringes recently abandoned in the inner city of Barcelona for HIV-1 antibodies. We stratified the 416 syringes collected and analysed them according to several variables. Of those with visible blood and needles 57.3% were positive. Multivariate analysis confirmed as predictors the presence of visible blood (OR=2.62; 95% Cl: 1.12-6.13), dirty appearance (OR=1.63; 95% Cl: 1.01-2.65), the neighbourhood in which they were collected (p=0.06) and the second collection period (OR=1.92; 95% Cl: 1.21-3.05), with an interaction between the presence of visible blood plus needles (OR=7, 82; 95% Cl: 2.17-28.22). The findings suggest that the syringes with these characteristics have the highest risk for the intravenous drug-user population who still share needles.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 94-96 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | European Journal of Public Health |
Volume | 5 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- HIV-1
- Heroin dependence
- Population surveillance
- Risk factors
- Syringes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health