Characteristics of users of syringe vending machines in Berlin

Abstract

Vending machines providing sterile injection equipment are part of the AIDS prevention measures for injecting drug users (IDU) in Berlin. A study was carried out to assess characteristics (history of iv drug use, frequency of use of the machines, contact with counselling units for IDU, attitudes towards the machines, HIV serostatus) in users of syringe vending machines. Of the 313 individuals surveyed 77% reported using the vending machines regularly (more than four times a week). compared to other studies of IDU in Berlin (eg at syringe exchange programmes) the users of the vending machines hat a significantly shorter history of iv drug use. Overall, 72% of the IDU had had contacts at some time with specialised agencies for counselling on drug abuse and AIDS; however, only 33% had such contacts currently. Sixty-five percent of the IDU commented critically on the machines or made suggestions for improvement; 18% had experienced that the machines did not always work well, 14% called for more machines. HIV seroprevalence based on selfreported test results (N=252) was 20%. In multivariate statistical analysis positive HIV serostatus was associated with site of interview, longer history of intravenous drug use, and current contact with counselling agencies. Despite the ready availability of syringes and needles, 25% of the participants reported borrowing injection equipment from other IDU in the previous six months. This proportion was significantly higher in IDU younger than 25 years (39%). In addition to syringe exchange programmes and pharmacies, the syringe vending machines appear to be an important source of sterile injection equipment for IDU in Berlin particularly for those without current contacts to specialised counselling units. © 1994 Birkhäuser Verlag.