@article {Perngmark:2003:0965-2140:1153,
	author = "Perngmark, Pajongsil and Celentano, David D. and Kawichai, Surinda",
	title = "Needle sharing among southern Thai drug injectors",
	journal = "Addiction",
	volume = "98",
	number = "8",
	year = "2003",
	abstract = "Aim&#8195; <P></P>To examine factors associated with needle sharing among injecting drug users (IDU) in southern Thailand. Design&#8195; <P></P>Using a cross-sectional survey, 272 active IDU were interviewed about their socio-economic background, needle sharing and drug use patterns at six drug-treatment clinics in southern Thailand. Findings&#8195; <P></P>Ninety-one per cent of IDU gave a past history of ever sharing injecting equipment: of these, 23% currently injected but did not share and 68% still shared. Only 5% of participants knew that bleaching needles could reduce HIV transmission risks. Recent needle sharing was correlated with number of IDU friends (OR 12.23; CI, 5.24-28.51), engaging in illegal jobs (OR 2.74; CI, 1.13-6.67), being unable to use new needles at all times (OR 2.89; CI, 1.17-7.14) and believing that cleaning contaminated shared needles with at least plain water could reduce HIV transmission (OR 3.32; CI, 1.16-6.68). Conclusions&#8195; <P></P>Our data suggest that AIDS prevention efforts should focus on approaches to reduce needle sharing. Needle exchange programs, HIV counseling and testing and bleach distribution may reduce levels of needle-sharing risks.",
	pages = "1153-1161",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/add/2003/00000098/00000008/art00018",
	doi = "doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00446.x",
	keyword = "HIV risk, injecting drug users (IDU), needle sharing, southern Thailand"
}