Prevention Strategies of HIV Positive Injection Drug Users (VENUS Study)

New HIV infections are decreasing among IDUs. This decrease has been related to the practice of injection risk reduction among IDUs such as the use of needle exchange programs where available. However, recent research has found that sexual risk behavior among IDUs may account for more new HIV infections than injection practices.2 We need to know more about the sexual practices of IDUs. To date, most HIV prevention efforts have focused on how HIV negative people can stay negative. This has overlooked the important role that HIV positive individuals can play in the prevention of new HIV infections. HIV positive people also need support to not spread the virus and to keep themselves healthy (avoid STDs, Hepatitis C, abscesses, etc.). The need for prevention efforts targeting HIV positive individuals has only recently been addressed.