HIV transmission efficiency through contaminated injections in Roka, Cambodia

Abstract

A nosocomial HIV outbreak recognized in late 2014 in Roka commune, Cambodia, demonstrates the potential for rapid transmission through skin-piercing healthcare procedures. Information reported from the investigation of the Roka commune outbreak is sufficient to estimate the transmission efficiency of HIV through contaminated injection equipment. With conservative assumptions, two estimates are 4.6% and 9.2%. These estimates are much greater than widely disseminated and influential low estimates of risk from unsafe injections, estimates which have encouraged low estimates of the contribution of unsafe healthcare to Africa’s generalized HIV epidemics. More information about nosocomial risks in Roka commune could improve the estimates in this paper and advise HIV prevention programs, particularly in countries with unreliably sterile healthcare and high HIV prevalence.