Venkataraman R; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. WePeC6038.

Non-governmental organisation, New Delhi, India

Issue: The constant struggle for survival in the conflict situation of North East India is leading more and more people to find solace in drugs. Today, over 80 per cent of them are now into injections and Spasmo Proxyvon, a pain-killing drug. This drug has captured the minds and hearts of youths aged 15 to 30 years. Many have fallen victim to it. There is now an emergence of HIV/AIDS cases among females that shows it is no longer confined to intravenous drug users who comprises of mostly men. There is increasing evidence that women and children are now prone to the epidemic. The entire system is collapsing and needs to be overhauled. Description: Within the context of political, economic and social dimensions of armed conflict and violence, Oxfam-India and its partners are undertaking intervention efforts to mitigate impact of HIV/AIDS on drug users. Oxfam is working with the youth, women, children and men to: raise awareness; improve quality of life, change attitudes and to build capacity. Lessons learnt: There has been a marked decrease in needle sharing among intravenous drug users as a result of new needles and syringes being provided through Oxfam partner organisations. Injecting drug users are receiving rehabilitation support and more HIV+ women and men are accessing psychosocial support - this is especially significant given the culture of denial, stigma and discrimination, especially against HIV+ women. However, relapse rates of drug users are still very high. Very few women are involved in decision-making process or even in programme designing. Therefore, the focus on HIV and related problems are not addressed properly. Recommendations: Women need to be involved in the decision making process, HIV to be mainstreamed in development programmes, more government lobbying required.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• AIDS Vaccines
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adolescent
• Anti-HIV Agents
• Child
• Female
• Government
• HIV
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• HIV Seroprevalence
• Health Services Needs and Demand
• Humans
• India
• Male
• Needle Sharing
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous
• Substance-Related Disorders
• Syringes

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0039748

UI: 102283964

From Meeting Abstracts