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Abstract
Challenges of addressing SRH needs of IDUs in Nagaland, India
N. Jagdish1, V. Koliwad2, K. Apte3, V. Belho2
Issues: The Injection Drug Users in India are hidden groups because of societal norms and its illegal status. Hence IDUs do not access Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care services.
Description: FPAIndia implemented a project to address the SRH needs of IDUs and their sexual partners in Nagaland. The project partnered with an IDU organisation. SRH needs were met of the clients accessing harm reduction services. Recovering IDUs were taken as staff and through social mapping identified fixing joints. 39 women and 373 men were reached out of 1125 IDUs. 784 clients were referred for DOTS, detoxification, rehabilitation, substitution therapy. 115 male IDUs brought in their sexual partners for general healthcare and abortion. 12 Female IDUs brought in their male partners for FP advice.
Lessons learned: Non-IDUs are not easily accepted in the IDU community hence recovering IDUs should be a part of the project. However, these IDUs are prone to have relapse therefore an alternative line of project operation should be identified. FPAI initiative was accepted by others as it focused on providing SRH services and did not duplicate efforts. Female IDUs are the most difficult to reach.
Next steps: Addressing stigma, gender based violence, providing SRH services and imparting income generating skills among IDUs. Female partners are not willing to be identified due to stigma and the need for contraceptive services is high. Violence is common in marital relationship and employment opportunity provides the key impetus for remaining clean through inciting a sense of belonging to the workplace, increased self-esteem and the will to live and help others. “I feel proud to call myself a recovering addict and have regained trust of my parents, relatives and neighbours. Branch Manager is a good person who gave me courage to live and opportunity to work for others” expressed one of the outreach workers.
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDC0626
Suggested Citation
"N.Jagdish, et al.
Challenges of addressing SRH needs of IDUs in Nagaland, India.
:
AIDS 2008 - XVII International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDC0626"
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