Structures of Prevention: A Safe-Sex/Safe-Injecting Audit of Mount Alexander Shire, A Methodological Pilot.

ABSTRACT This paper reports the findings of a methodological pilot project that examined the availability of safe-sex and safe-injecting products in a rural shire in central Victoria. The study mapped the distribution and audited the availability of condoms, water-based lubricants, needles/syringes and needle disposal units to provide baseline data on access to and the availability of products that are directly related to the prevention of the human immunodeficiency virus, sexually transmissible infections and blood-borne viruses. Clear disparities were observed in the availability and pricing of safe sex/safe use materials between regional centres and outlying areas in the Shire. The findings make it clear that an emphasis on overcoming structural impediments to the adoption of safe sex/safe injecting practices is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]