Study: One third of injections in developing nations are unsafe

One of every three injections given to people in developing nations is administered with an unsterile needle, exposing the people receiving the shots to numerous blood-borne pathogens, including HIV, according to a study published in the November 8 issue of the British Medical Journal. The study, conducted by researchers at the World Health Organization, examined data from dozens of previous studies to determine the risk associated with injections in health care settings in developing countries. The researchers found that worldwide about one third of all injections were given with a contaminated needle. In parts of Southeast Asia, the percentage of injections with unsafe needles rose as high as 75%. The Middle East also had a very high incidence of unsafe injections. Eastern Europe and parts of Africa had the lowest levels of unsafe-needle usage. The study also found that oral solutions or pills could easily replace many of the drugs and vaccines now given by injection in developing nations.