Vicknasingam BK, Suparman N, Ismail A, Navaratnam V, Pakir HK, Mansor SM, Othman H; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. C11060.

University, Penang, Malaysia

BACKGROUND: It is well-established fact that HIV/ AIDS can spread rapidly in IDU populations. Malaysia is no exception to this. Taking this facts into consideration we decided to implement a project using the Rapid Assesment methodology as a tool to assess the situation in the state of Penang. The rationale of carrying out this project in the state of Penang is because it has the most severe problem of drug addiction in Malaysia. METHODOLOGY: The uniqueness of this project is that the research ream forged a partnership with the local youth movement in the study area to implement project. This study is divided into two main phases. In the first phase, secondary data and qualitative techniques (survey) is being used to collect data.(the paper will give detailed information on the various techniques used to collect data) Results (1st Phase) - All the addicts interviewed mentioned that heroin is their primary drug. - Common factors influencing addicts to start injecting are peers, increase in heroin price, decrease in purity, shortage of supply and the need to obtain a higher euphoric feeling. - Results from the assessment show that addicts do not share needles but share their injecting paraphernalia. They inject in loose networks, which are not permanent. - Those who visited sex workers practised safe sex .The only risk behavior is among the married men who did not practice safe sex with their spouse. - Subjects also mentioned that there is an increase in tuberculosis, hepatitis B and C infection among their peers who injected. Other bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections resulting from the use of unsterile injection equipment is common. CONCLUSION: Currently we are implementing pahse two of the project where qualitative techniques are used. The sample size is 400 cases. This part of the study is scheduled to end by the first quater of this year and we will be able to present the data during the conference.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Behavior
• Demography
• Evaluation Studies
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Malaysia
• Male
• Physical Examination
• Prostitution
• Safe Sex
• Substance-Related Disorders
• methods

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0016908

UI: 102254406

From Meeting Abstracts