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HIV/AIDS

Syringe Exchange Programs

This information sheet supports the use of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) for injecting drug users, who will not or cannot stop injecting drugs, as one method of lowering the risk of IDUs acquiring or transmitting HIV. SEPs allow IDUs to safely dispose of used syringes and obtain sterile ones at no cost and offer prevention and health care education and services. The information sheet discusses the public health impact of SEPs and considers the challenges for SEPs and ways of supporting access to sterile syringes through SEPs.

Syringe Disposal

This information sheet discusses the problem of safe disposal of used syringes by diabetics as well as injecting drug users (IDUs) to prevent needlestick injuries and transmission of blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. The information sheet explains the public concern with syringe disposal, presents safe disposal methods that have been used in some communities, and notes that barriers to syringe disposal programs include laws that establish criminal penalties for distribution and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Teen Risk-Taking: Promising Prevention Programs and Approaches

This monograph is a guide to effective problem behavior prevention programs for at-risk youth. The monograph discusses the level and characteristics of adolescent risk-taking today, common elements of successful prevention programs along with an explanation of criteria used to evaluate programs, the challenges facing practitioners trying to replicate promising programs and suggestions for meeting those challenges, and a prevention readiness questionnaire. The monograph presents profiles of 51 prevention programs whose behavioral evaluations demonstrate their effectiveness.

Policy Efforts to Increase IDUs' Access to Sterile Syringes

This information sheet explains that in order to reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections, injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, must have access to sterile syringes and injection equipment. However, many laws and regulations prohibit IDUs from purchasing these items. Some states have changed these laws and regulations and have seen positive results.

Children and Young People in a World of AIDS

This pamphlet examines HIV among children and adolescents internationally. The pamphlet discusses the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among young persons, the factors and behaviors that place young persons at risk for HIV, statistics on children who have been orphaned as a result of the epidemic, and intervention strategies to prevent HIV transmission to children and adolescents, including mother-to-child transmission.

It's Your (Sex) Life : Your Guide to Safe and Responsible Sex

This pamphlet presents information about pregnancy and STDs, including HIV and serves as a guide to having safe and responsible sex. It discusses pregnancy; the options available to pregnant adolescents; the effectiveness of contraception against pregnancy and STDs; how to talk to partners about practicing safer sex; how to practice safer sex; and the symptoms of, the effects of, and the treatments available for several STDs.

Los Ninos y los Jovenes en un Mundo con SIDA

This pamphlet examines HIV among children and adolescents internationally. The pamphlet discusses the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among young persons, the factors and behaviors that place them at risk for HIV, and intervention strategies to prevent the spread of HIV to children and adolescents, as well as maternal transmission to infants.

What You Need to Know About Tuberculosis

The purpose of this flipbook is to assist healthcare workers in providing patient education around TB testing, TB infection and TB disease. Panels for patients include simple text and images to reinforce key messages and corresponding panels for providers include easy to deliver script and teaching points.

Regulating CAM Practices and Practitioners

This information sheet is the fourth in a series of sheets on complementary/alternative (CAM) health care and HIV/AIDS. It considers different types of regulation: licensure, certification, and registration; the type of regulation used with conventional practitioners; and the fact that some conventional practitioners incorporate CAM therapies into their practice. The information sheet suggests some sort of professional code as a beginning for CAM practitioners who are not yet regulated.