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Needle and syringe programmes in prison to prevent HIV and HCV infection and reduce injecting risk behaviours

Summary of the evidence

Rating
  • Unknown effectiveness

Needle and syringe programmes implemented in prison were found in a systematic review (Palmateer et al., 2022, 27 systematic review, 61 studies) to have insufficient evidence to either support or discount the intervention in:

  • preventing HIV transmission among PWID in prison
  • reducing HCV transmission among PWID in prison
  • reducing injecting risk behaviours PWID in prison

Details

Note: this evidence summary is only valid for the outcomes, target groups, settings and substances/patterns of use described below.

Name of response option
  • Needle and syringe programmes (NSP)
Desired outcome(s)
  • reduce infectious diseases
Area(s)
  • Harm reduction
Specific substance or pattern of use
  • opioids
Target group(s) or setting(s)
  • prison

References

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