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Virology research J 2017 Vol 1 Issue 2
Notes:
July 26-27, 2017 | Vancouver, Canada
WORLD CONFERENCE ON STDs, STIs & HIV/AIDS
allied
academies
Issue:
The intersection of unsafe injecting drug use and
unsafe sexual practice is a significant factor in the increased
risk for HIV infection among female who inject drugs (FDUs)
in Nepal. Additionally, most HIV/AIDS prevention and care
programmes are not reaching this vulnerable group because
most programs are designed for men and despite its attempt
to reach and work with FDU are not working. In fact, gender
sensitive services addressing the specific needs of female
injecting drugs user hardly exists in most Asian countries.
Project:
Since June-November 2015, RiseAbove (Community-
based NGO of drug users) implemented 6 months long
survey project supported by the Drug Control Program (DCP)
under Ministry of Home Affairs, mainly on available service
provisions & gaps for FDUs in 4 most affected districts of
the country. This survey was carried with mixed methods of
individual & institutional interviews, focal group discussions
and interaction meetings with concerned stakeholders.
Result:
The result revealed that there is very limited and
or comparatively non existence of service provision for
FDUs in all 4 districts, because there is no dialogue and
communication between donor/s, female groups and service
providers consequently creating more lack of services for
FDUs. Nevertheless, the need for long-gapped programs
for FDUs is acknowledged and understood by Government
entities, donors & service providers, there is a need to kick-off
the intervention with coordinated efforts from all concerned
partied. Furthermore, more of the activities targeting social
discrimination towards FDUs have to be done at larger scale.
Conclusion:
Local government authorities and stakeholders
are positive towards the need of services for FDUs and are
ready to play their supportive part. There needs to be a
frequent dialogue & communication between government
body, donors and other stakeholders which should be
initiated by FDU groups themselves.
e:
pananta1986@gmail.comFemale inject drug users, vulnerability to HIV infections and lack of service provisions-NEPAL
Ananta Parajuli
Tribhuvan University, Nepal