New cases of HIV amid people who use drugs by injection (IDU) in B.C. continue to decline. According to a fresh report released today by the provincial health officer, it is crucial that harm reduction measures are sustained and explicated for this decline to continue.
According to the report, authorize Decreasing HIV Infections Among People Who Use Drugs by Injection in BC, there are a number of factors that might strengthen to the decrease in new HIV cases seen among injection drug users. The uptake and expansion of Highly Active Anti-retroviral Therapy (HAART) – the current gold standard in HIV treatment - likely has been a most important factor in reducing the number of HIV incidences in this population.
HAART has the ability to modify the way people live with HIV by improving their quality of life and reducing transmission rates. Participation in detriment reduction programs has been associated with a decrease risk for HIV and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Transmission of this disease has also likely been affected by changes in drug use (type of drugs and routes used) or changes in the population.
Article source:http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2011HLTH0017-000288.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment