Telles PR, Sampaio CM, Bastos Junior W; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 668 (abstract no. 411/33390).

Nepad/UERJ-RJ, Brazil.

ISSUE: The Brazilian Ministry of Health launched in 1996 a HRP in Rio, together with other important cities in the Country critically affected by the AIDS problem among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs). Among the problems faced by all Projects are the legal constrains regarding needle exchange and the widespread prejudiced image of IDUs. Rio though seemed to meet additional problems due to its specific social environment. To face these drawbacks, a series of unique strategies had to be implemented. PROJECT: The project initiated its activities relying on a fixed place (close to a drug treatment center) and a mobile unit. Among the activities offered by the HRP are: counseling, distribution of informative folders and preventive materials, needle exchange, HIV testing and referral to other clinical or drug treatment places. A short voluntary anonymous questionnaire about drug habits and other behavioral aspects is proposed for each client attending the HRP. At the beginning of the project we faced a great difficulty to reach IDUs, Rio de Janeiro's social environment, unlike any other place in the country, keep IDUs extremely segregated, organized in small networks and with low interconnection. They are specially persecuted by the police, unwanted even by other non-injecting drug users and not tolerated by drug dealers (drug trade is power full and very organized in Rio). The inclusion of ex-IDUS and IDUs as outreach workers; an intensive work with the community (and community leaders) principally at the slums where most of the drug trade occurs; enrollment of religious, governmental and non gov. organizations; field work with sex-workers (high percentage of drug use); focus groups with ex-drug users; easy access to testing, treatment and free medication; are among the activities used to reach and engage in the program this hidden population. RESULTS: From May 1997 until January 25, 1998, the project reached a growing number of IDUs, among them 182 filled the questionnaire. The HRP distributed/exchanged 6,721 informative folders, 7,456 condoms, 3,329 needles/syringes and 285 kits (above material plus bleach and distilled water). Many non-injecting drug users and more than 200 sex workers, considered as potential bridges to IDUs, were also contacted. LESSONS LEARNED: Specific activities developed at the HRP in Rio de Janeiro, despite its difficulties, are potentially successful to the extent that a growing number of IDUs is being reached and we are dealing with an extremely segregated population.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Behavior
• Brazil
• Cities
• Harm Reduction
• Humans
• Needles
• Poverty Areas
• Substance-Related Disorders
• Syringes

Other ID:

• 98399074

UI: 102230255

From Meeting Abstracts