Reducing the risk of exposure to HCV amongst injecting drug users: Lessons from a peer intervention project in Northwest Wales

Abstract

Aim: To assess the feasibility of a peer delivered educational intervention to reduce injecting risk behaviour amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) in Northwest Wales.

Methods: A team of 13 current IDUs were recruited to be peer educators. Recruits were regular users of illicit heroin and active within local drug using networks. Over the course of the project they carried out educational interventions amongst their peers. Risk behaviour data was collected throughout the project by the educators.

Results: A wide range of educational interventions were carried out by the peer educators. Research data collected by the peer educators indicated high levels of injecting risk. At baseline 80% (95% CI 61–92%) of IDUs questioned reported having used someone else's used needle or syringe in the month prior to interview. Data collected on injecting group size indicated that a small subgroup of individuals injected in the company of a considerable number of other individuals. It was clear that the symptoms of withdrawal were seen as potentially leading to higher risk behaviour.

Conclusions: Peer education intervention is a feasible approach to risk reduction amongst IDUs. Needle and syringe sharing is still a very common practice in Northwest Wales.

• Hepatitis
• injecting
• drug

Acknowledgements

The research group would like to thank the peer educators and privileged access interviewers from across the region for their role in this project. Thanks also to Northwest Wales Drug Service for their continued and valued support. The study was funded by the Public Health Protection Division 2, Office of the Chief Medical Officer, Welsh Assembly Government. The authors are grateful for comments made on the first draft of the paper by the anonymous referee.