Tuyển tập báo cáo các nghiên cứu khoa học quốc tế ngành y học dành cho các bạn tham khảo đề tài: Assessing and improving needle exchange programs: gaps and problems in the literature | Harm Reduction Journal BioMed Central Review Open Access Assessing and improving needle exchange programs gaps and problems in the literature Kate Ksobiech Address Center for AIDS Intervention Research CAIR Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Medical College of Wisconsin USA Email Kate Ksobiech - kksobiec@ Corresponding author Published 20 April 2004 Received 22 February 2004 Accepted 20 April 2004 Harm Reduction Journal 2004 1 4 This article is available from http content 1 1 4 2004 Ksobiech licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose provided this notice is preserved along with the article s original URL. Abstract Based on an extensive review of the needle exchange program NEP literature the author sought to identify weaknesses in NEP evaluations published to date. Surprisingly it was apparent that NEP researchers often fail to 1 collect comparison change data 2 agree on appropriate and consistent dependent variables to measure 3 use valid and reliable measurement instruments 4 present clear operational definitions 5 analyze outcome measures by gender race social context 6 provide data on type of drug injected as it relates to risky drug and sexual behaviors 7 measure HIV AIDS knowledge or 8 clearly articulate desired NEP outcomes. Suggestions for future research are included and conclusions about the overall state of NEP evaluative research are drawn. Background The moral ethical and legal debate continues over establishing and maintaining needle exchange programs NEPs in the . and abroad. NEP opponents repeatedly call for proof of NEP effectiveness fearing NEP use leads to increased drug use more crime and more discarded needles a health concern for the general public at large. There have been thousands of published NEP articles ranging from popular press accounts of legal battles over NEPs to .
