Background Different preventive programmes were implemented in Barnaul. Among them: condom and injecting equipment distribution, voluntary counselling and testing, social and medical support of the IDU and safe skills building. We investigated the difference in HIV, HIV, HCV, Syphilis and risk behaviour prevalence among the IDU programme clients (PC) covered by preventive programmes and the IDU who were not covered by preventive programmes (comparison group).

Methods Integrated bio-behavioural survey with the use of “case-control” among the IDU was conducted in Barnaul, in 2011. 300 IDU were surveyed. Socio-behavioural, knowledge, HIV, HCV, HBV and Syphilis prevalence data were calculated with SPSS v.12.

Results The sample was: male (65%), 24–45 years old (52%), single (57%), unemployed (79%).

94.7% of PC answered to knowledge questions correctly (5 key questions on HIV transmission and main preventive measures), in comparison group –79.3%.

90% of PC did not use non-sterile needles and syringes for the last month, in comparison group - 84%. 31.3% of PC bought the syringes with ready -made solution, in comparison group - 48.0%.

25.3% of PC shared paraphernalia, in comparison group - 54.7%.

30.7% of PC used condom at the last sexual contact, in comparison group - 26.0%.

The results of testing: 3 (2%) of PC are HIV positive, in comparison group - 31 (20.7%).

2 (1.3%) of PC have HBV, in comparison group - 6 (4%).

121 (80.7%) of PC have HCV, in comparison group - 130 (86.7%).

7 (4.7%) of PC have Syphilis, in comparison group - 35 (23.3%).

Conclusions The IDU covered by the preventive programmes practise less risk sexual and injecting behaviour and prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, Syphilis among them is lower than among the IDU who never participated in preventive programmes.