Examining unmet needs: a cross-sectional study exploring knowledge, attitudes and sexually transmitted infection screening preferences among persons who inject drugs in Camden, New Jersey.

Objectives: To inform the development of targeted sexually transmitted infection (STI) control programmes for persons who inject drugs (PWID).

Methods: We recruited 116 PWID (aged ≥ 18 years) from a community-based syringe exchange programme (SEP) and assessed their STI knowledge and screening preferences via technology assisted self-interview. We estimated prevalence of STI transmission knowledge, attitudes and screening preferences as well as the association between reported sexual behaviours (past 6 months) and willingness to self-collect specimens.

An Exploration of Factors Impacting Preexposure Prophylaxis Eligibility and Access Among Syringe Exchange Users.

Background: In 2015, approximately 50,000 new HIV infections occurred in the United States, 2,400 of which were attributable to injection drug use. Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to curb HIV acquisition; however, uptake remains low among persons who inject drugs (PWID). The purpose of the study is to describe PrEP eligibility, willingness to use PrEP, and ability to access PrEP among PWID recruited from a pilot program that paired screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections with mobile syringe exchange program (SEP) services.

Reducing Missed Opportunities: Pairing Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening With Syringe Exchange Services.

About 17.5% of sexually active injection drug users recruited from a syringe exchange in Camden, NJ (n = 120) screened positive for chlamydia/gonorrhea. Among these cases, 40% were detected via extragenital screening.