|
| Click for photos |
 |
| |
Alarmed at the spurt in cases of drug abuse in Visakhapatnam, A.P. State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) with partnership of ARDAR has started TI – IDU project on August 16th 2008. With efforts to check the demand and supply of drugs not yielding desired results, Harm Reduction Strategy (HRS) has been adapted. Through targeted intervention it is planned to bring about behavioral change, clean needles usage, promote condom use and provide enabling environment.
|
| |
In the first year an understanding of the IDUs in Visakhapatnam was obtained. It is estimated that there are around 1000-1200 IDUs in Visakhapatnam. By August 30TH 2010, ARDAR could register 395 IDUs under the project. |
|
 |
|
| |
| Goal |
To halt and reverse the HIV epidemic among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Visakhapatnam |
|
|
| |
| Objectives |
| » |
To increase awareness knowledge about HIV/AIDS among IDUs |
| » |
Prevent spreading of HIV/AIDS among IDUs |
| » |
Safe practices like clean needle usage and condom use for safe sex |
| » |
Enabling IDUs receive the services by the project directly and other linkage services |
| » |
Creating an enabling environment for harm reduction strategy |
|
| |
| Target Population |
: |
395 Injected Drug Users in Visakhapatnam city |
|
|
| |
| Profile of IDUs |
| » |
High Volume - 256 |
| » |
Medium Volume - 87 |
| » |
Low Volume - 52 |
|
| |
| Frequency |
| » |
Daily Users - 354 |
| » |
Non Daily Users - 41 |
|
| |
| Classifications of Age Group |
| » |
Below 25 - 70 |
| » |
26 - 36 - 277 |
| » |
36 Above - 48 |
|
| |
| Activities |
| |
| 1. Needle/syringe exchange programmers (NSEPs): |
Sharing of injecting equipment places IDUs at high risk of contracting blood-borne viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C. The primary purpose of the needle syringe exchange programme is to give IDUs the means to use a new needle and syringe every time they inject, in order to reduce transmission of these blood-borne viruses and thus infection rates for the community as a whole. The service is majorly provided by outreach staff: ORW and PE. |
| |
| Distribution of Needle and Syringes |
Return of Needle and Syringes |
| 94607 |
67718 |
|
| |
| 2. Drop in Centre Services |
Abscess Prevention and STI Management are part of Harm Reduction Strategy. These services are provided through Drop in Centre. |
| |
| Total Clinic Attendance |
General Check Ups |
STI Treated |
STI Follow up |
Abscess Treated |
Abscess Follow Up |
| 1434 |
1318 |
25 |
25 |
33 |
33 |
|
| |
| 3. Providing Linkage Services: |
| TB referrals to DOTS, ICTC linkages (VCTC, PPTCT), ART linkages and Existing support groups (NGOs/CBOs) |
| |
| » |
Total No. of Positives - 8 |
| » |
Linked to ART - 8 |
| » |
On ART - 2 |
| » |
Non ART - 6 |
| » |
Linked to Positive Network - 7 |
| » |
Referred to TB - 3 |
| » |
TB Positives - 0 |
|
| |
| 4. Behavioral Change Communication |
| » |
BCC with IDUs is to make them use clean needles and practice safe sex with partners. |
| » |
Counseling to IDUs to assess their situation and to provide guidance to make an informed decision regarding their future. |
| » |
Condom Promotion and distribution of free condoms to promote safe sex practices for IDUs. |
|
| |
| Total Condom Distribution |
IDUs |
Out Lets |
| 46775 |
35354 |
11421 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| The major achievements of the project in the Past one year |
| » |
Significant behavior change with major number of IDUs now using clean needles and are not sharing. |
| » |
Significant increase in usage of condom while having sex with partners |
| » |
Ownership of the project by IDUs and 395 IDUs registered till March 2012. |
| » |
Regular visits by IDUs to Drop-In-Centre and utilization of services provided at Drop-in-centre |
| » |
Myths on HIV/AIDS can be cleared to a large extent |
| » |
Knowledge level on HIV/AIDS and STI has increased |
| » |
Created awareness on HIV testing and large number of IDUs volunteered for testing. |
|
| |
|
| |
