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Abstract
Examining experience, understanding practice: lived experience, professionalism and HIV prevention for injection drug users in Vancouver Canada
J P Egan
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
Background: To examine how the lived experiences of prevention workers whose clients are IDUs shape their practices.
Methods: A mixed methods (survey and interview) data collection was used. People from NGO and government health agencies whose work included direct HIV prevention with IDUs were recruited from 70 agencies in total. 37 respondents completed a detailed questionnaire; of these 18 participated in 1-15. hour qualitative interviews to better nuance emergent areas of interest. Demographics, beliefs about drug use, addiction and HIV prevention practicies were collected. Respondents whose affiliation was an NGO (n=19) and those from government agencies (n=18) were compared.
Results: NGO workers were less likely to give syringes without an even exchange (p<.01), or proffer information about achieving abstinence from the injecting drug. Health workers were more likely to recommend methadone as a treatment strategy (p<.01). Both groups were likely to support needle exchange programs, safe injecting venues, and limited government-dispensed heroin to established addicts. All respondents strongly condemned the dearth of existing services for addicts wishing to pursue abstinence, and the lack of consideration of post-treatment options--most specifically quality housing--for addicts.
Conclusions: Frontline AIDS prevention workers in Vancouver working with IDUs see few options for addicts wanting to get off injecting drugs. Given this, they prioritize broader harm reduction options for their clients. Their awareness of the lack of options for post-treatment abstinent users highlights a critical gap in current public policy on substance mis/use.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
ThPeE7864
Suggested Citation
" J P Egan ,
Examining experience, understanding practice: lived experience, professionalism and HIV prevention for injection drug users in Vancouver Canada
.
Poster Exhibition:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
ThPeE7864"
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