Abstract

This research application proposes a study of HIV and other infectious diseases that spread among intravenous drug users via shared injection equipment. The novel aspect of this study is to """"""""let the needles do the talking"""""""" via a new data collection device that tracks used needles, and tests them for HIV infection. Such a Syringe Tracking and Testing System (STT) has already been implemented in New Haven; thousands of needles have been tracked, and hundreds tested for HIV using polymerase. chain reaction (PCR).
The specific aims of this project are to: expand the existing STT to encompass rigorous data management and modeling; establish PCR protocols for reliable determination of HIV prevalence in needles, and broaden PCR testing to include other infectious diseases transmitted by needle sharing; develop statistical methods for estimating the prevalence and incidence of infectious diseases among intravenous drug users using STT data; develop mathematical modeling techniques for studying the transmission dynamics of 7-infectious diseases among intravenous drug users using STT data; and use STT data to examine the validity of self-reported sharing rates among intravenous drug users.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DA007676-03
Application #
2120160
Study Section
Sociobehavioral Subcommittee (DAAR)
Project Start
1992-04-01
Project End
1995-03-31
Budget Start
1994-04-01
Budget End
1995-03-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1994
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Yale University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
082359691
City
New Haven
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06520

  Publications

Heimer, Robert (2008) Community coverage and HIV prevention: assessing metrics for estimating HIV incidence through syringe exchange. Int J Drug Policy 19 Suppl 1:S65-73
Heimer, R (1998) Can syringe exchange serve as a conduit to substance abuse treatment? J Subst Abuse Treat 15:183-91
Heimer, R; Khoshnood, K; Bigg, D et al. (1998) Syringe use and reuse: effects of syringe exchange programs in four cities. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 18 Suppl 1:S37-44
Heimer, R; Khoshnood, K; Jariwala-Freeman, B et al. (1996) Hepatitis in used syringes: the limits of sensitivity of techniques to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, and antibodies to HBV core and HCV antigens. J Infect Dis 173:997-1000
Khoshnood, K; Kaplan, E H; Heimer, R (1995) 'Dropouts' or 'drop-ins'? Client retention and participation in New Haven's needle exchange program. Public Health Rep 110:462-6
Kaplan, E H; Heimer, R (1995) HIV incidence among New Haven needle exchange participants: updated estimates from syringe tracking and testing data. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 10:175-6
Kaplan, E H; Heimer, R (1994) A circulation theory of needle exchange. AIDS 8:567-74
Kaplan, E H; Khoshnood, K; Heimer, R (1994) A decline in HIV-infected needles returned to New Haven's needle exchange program: client shift or needle exchange? Am J Public Health 84:1991-4
Kaplan, E H; Heimer, R (1994) HIV incidence among needle exchange participants: estimates from syringe tracking and testing data. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 7:182-9
Kaplan, E H (1994) A method for evaluating needle exchange programmes. Stat Med 13:2179-87

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