Munirathinam SK; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. MoPpD1052.
S.K. Munirathinam, 12 Vaidyaram Street, T.Nagar, Chennai (Madras) 600017, India, Tel.: +91 44 434 56 68, Fax: +91 44 433 22 85, E-mail: msuresh@vsnl.com
Issue: A recent rapid assessment study done at Madras indicates wide prevalence of injecting among opiate users and they exhibit high-risk practices. In order to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other blood borne pathogens among IDUs, a comprehensive HIV prevention programme that includes sublingual buprenorphine substitution has been initiated at Madras supported by the European Communities. Setting and Project: The project is carried out in a city where syringes and needles can be procured in pharmacies without prescription. We enroll injection drug users from the street and majority of IDUs are slum dwelling poor persons. Services provided include HIV testing and counseling, primary medical care and sublingual buprenorphine substitution. The project aims to provide comprehensive services for 3 years for about 250 injecting drug users. Outcomes: We have been able to recruit injection drug users for intervention programmes aimed at HIV risk reduction. Sublingual buprenorphine substitution has attracted many injection drug users who have never been in any treatment/prevention services. Apart from ensuring adequate dosage, the programme is enhanced by accessibility, reducing operational difficulties, service of the psychiatrist, multiple management interventions and ancillary services like support group organisation. Lessons Learned: The paper describes the process of engaging and retaining drug users in prevention services using sublingual buprenorphine substitution. The opportunities as well as the challenges faced are discussed. Sublingual buprenorphine is available in India and has been approved for use by certain deaddiction centres and this provides an opportunity to facilitate injectors to transit to sublingual use. Coverage is critical and increasing Government supported buprenorphine substitution programmes may be one of the most helpful means of reducing the risk of HIV transmission among injecting drug users in India. The support and involvement of the medical community is important to endorse and develop quality drug substitution programmes.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Animals
- Blood-Borne Pathogens
- Buprenorphine
- European Union
- Evaluation Studies
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- India
- Narcotics
- Poverty Areas
- Prevalence
- Substance-Related Disorders
- transmission
Other ID:
UI: 102238217
From Meeting Abstracts