Sperner-Unterweger B, Fuchs D, Fleischhacker W W, Hausen A, Miller C, Möst J, Reibnegger G, Werner E R, Dierich M, Wachter H
Department of Psychiatry, Innsbruck University Clinics, Austria.
Br J Addict. 1991 Feb;86(2):225-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1991.tb01772.x.
In 1985 a high HIV-seroprevalence (44.2%) was found in a cohort of parenteral drug addicted prisoners in Innsbruck, Austria. In a longitudinal study from March 1985 to March 1989 we investigated the epidemiology of HIV-infection as well as possible changes in the drug taking behaviour of this defined population at risk. During the study HIV-seroprevalence rates in drug dependent prisoners showed a statistical decrease to 30%. A concomitant increase in admission to any kind of therapy programmes as well as an increasing change from 'heavy use' (mainly taking heroin i.v.) to 'non-heavy use' (mainly taking drugs orally) could be noted. The influence of preventive measures, such as comprehensive AIDS-information, special therapy programmes including the methadone substitution programme, and the unrestricted availability of needles and syringes is discussed.
