Unsafe injections in low-income country health settings: need for injection safety promotion to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses

[Guest guest]

Health Promotion International, Vol. 19, No. 1, 95-103, March 2004

© Oxford University Press 2004. All rights reserved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PERSPECTIVES

Unsafe injections in low-income country health settings: need for injection

safety promotion to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses

Kermode

Deakin University, Burwood, , Australia

Address correspondence to: Kermode, Deakin University, 221 Burwood

Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia, E-mail: mker@...

Injections are one of the most frequently used medical procedures. The World

Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 12 billion injections are given

annually, 5% of which are administered for immunization and 95% for curative

purposes. Unsafe injection practices (especially needle and syringe re-use)

are commonplace in low-income country health settings, and place both staff

and patients at risk of infection with blood-borne viruses (BBVs). It is

estimated that up to 160 000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 4.7 million

hepatitis C and 16 million hepatitis B infections each year are attributable

to these practices. The problem is complex and fuelled by a mixture of

socio-cultural, economic and structural factors. An appropriate response on

the part of international organizations, governments, health administrators,

community organizations and health workers, including those who work in the

area of HIV/AIDS prevention, has been slow to emerge. This paper reviews the

literature relating to unsafe injection practices and the transmission of

BBVs in low-income countries in order to raise awareness of the issue and

the consequent need to promote injection safety messages amongst both

consumers and providers of health care services in these countries. The

nature and extent of unsafe injection practices, the burden of blood-borne

viral illness attributable to unsafe injection practices, and the factors

contributing to these practices are summarized, and possible strategies for

promoting injection safety discussed.

[Guest guest]

Health Promotion International, Vol. 19, No. 1, 95-103, March 2004

© Oxford University Press 2004. All rights reserved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PERSPECTIVES

Unsafe injections in low-income country health settings: need for injection

safety promotion to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses

Kermode

Deakin University, Burwood, , Australia

Address correspondence to: Kermode, Deakin University, 221 Burwood

Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia, E-mail: mker@...

Injections are one of the most frequently used medical procedures. The World

Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 12 billion injections are given

annually, 5% of which are administered for immunization and 95% for curative

purposes. Unsafe injection practices (especially needle and syringe re-use)

are commonplace in low-income country health settings, and place both staff

and patients at risk of infection with blood-borne viruses (BBVs). It is

estimated that up to 160 000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 4.7 million

hepatitis C and 16 million hepatitis B infections each year are attributable

to these practices. The problem is complex and fuelled by a mixture of

socio-cultural, economic and structural factors. An appropriate response on

the part of international organizations, governments, health administrators,

community organizations and health workers, including those who work in the

area of HIV/AIDS prevention, has been slow to emerge. This paper reviews the

literature relating to unsafe injection practices and the transmission of

BBVs in low-income countries in order to raise awareness of the issue and

the consequent need to promote injection safety messages amongst both

consumers and providers of health care services in these countries. The

nature and extent of unsafe injection practices, the burden of blood-borne

viral illness attributable to unsafe injection practices, and the factors

contributing to these practices are summarized, and possible strategies for

promoting injection safety discussed.

[Guest guest]

Health Promotion International, Vol. 19, No. 1, 95-103, March 2004

© Oxford University Press 2004. All rights reserved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PERSPECTIVES

Unsafe injections in low-income country health settings: need for injection

safety promotion to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses

Kermode

Deakin University, Burwood, , Australia

Address correspondence to: Kermode, Deakin University, 221 Burwood

Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia, E-mail: mker@...

Injections are one of the most frequently used medical procedures. The World

Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 12 billion injections are given

annually, 5% of which are administered for immunization and 95% for curative

purposes. Unsafe injection practices (especially needle and syringe re-use)

are commonplace in low-income country health settings, and place both staff

and patients at risk of infection with blood-borne viruses (BBVs). It is

estimated that up to 160 000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 4.7 million

hepatitis C and 16 million hepatitis B infections each year are attributable

to these practices. The problem is complex and fuelled by a mixture of

socio-cultural, economic and structural factors. An appropriate response on

the part of international organizations, governments, health administrators,

community organizations and health workers, including those who work in the

area of HIV/AIDS prevention, has been slow to emerge. This paper reviews the

literature relating to unsafe injection practices and the transmission of

BBVs in low-income countries in order to raise awareness of the issue and

the consequent need to promote injection safety messages amongst both

consumers and providers of health care services in these countries. The

nature and extent of unsafe injection practices, the burden of blood-borne

viral illness attributable to unsafe injection practices, and the factors

contributing to these practices are summarized, and possible strategies for

promoting injection safety discussed.

[Guest guest]

Health Promotion International, Vol. 19, No. 1, 95-103, March 2004

© Oxford University Press 2004. All rights reserved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PERSPECTIVES

Unsafe injections in low-income country health settings: need for injection

safety promotion to prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses

Kermode

Deakin University, Burwood, , Australia

Address correspondence to: Kermode, Deakin University, 221 Burwood

Highway, Burwood, 3125, Australia, E-mail: mker@...

Injections are one of the most frequently used medical procedures. The World

Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 12 billion injections are given

annually, 5% of which are administered for immunization and 95% for curative

purposes. Unsafe injection practices (especially needle and syringe re-use)

are commonplace in low-income country health settings, and place both staff

and patients at risk of infection with blood-borne viruses (BBVs). It is

estimated that up to 160 000 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 4.7 million

hepatitis C and 16 million hepatitis B infections each year are attributable

to these practices. The problem is complex and fuelled by a mixture of

socio-cultural, economic and structural factors. An appropriate response on

the part of international organizations, governments, health administrators,

community organizations and health workers, including those who work in the

area of HIV/AIDS prevention, has been slow to emerge. This paper reviews the

literature relating to unsafe injection practices and the transmission of

BBVs in low-income countries in order to raise awareness of the issue and

the consequent need to promote injection safety messages amongst both

consumers and providers of health care services in these countries. The

nature and extent of unsafe injection practices, the burden of blood-borne

viral illness attributable to unsafe injection practices, and the factors

contributing to these practices are summarized, and possible strategies for

promoting injection safety discussed.