About the project
Globally, there are an estimated 15.6 million people aged 15-64 years who inject drugs. People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of blood-borne infections including HIV. There are 2.8 million PWID living with HIV, but many more maybe undiagnosed. There is limited data on HIV testing among this population, but the data that is available indicates that testing coverage is low. As such, interventions are needed to improve HIV testing among PWID. Opioid substitute therapy (OST) has already been shown to improve antiretroviral therapy outcomes among PWID living with HIV.
Project aim
To assess the impact of OST on HIV testing among people who have recently injected drugs.
Anticipated impacts
This research will inform strategies to increase HIV testing among people who inject drugs.
Funders
Project dates
April 2019 to April 2020.
Research team
- Louisa Degenhardt, Professor (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney)
-
Claire Ferraro, Dr (University of Bristol)
- Clare French, Dr (University of Bristol)
- Jason Grebely, Associate Professor (The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney)
-
Behzad Hajarizadeh, Dr (The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney)
-
Matthew Hickman, Professor (University of Bristol)
- Sarah Larney, Dr (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney)
- Tom Santo, Mr (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney)
- Daniel Stewart, Mr (University of Bristol)
- Lucy Tran (National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney)
- Peter Vickerman, Professor (University of Bristol)