Implementing programmes
Vulnerability to HIV infection among sex worker and non-sex worker female injecting drug users in Dhaka, Bangladesh: evidence from the baseline survey of a cohort study
The needs of female injecting drug users need to be addressed in Bangladesh to prevent an HIV epidemic
Authors:
T. Azim; E. Chowdhury; M Reza; M.| Ahmed
Publisher:
Harm Reduction Journal, 2007
This study, published in the Journal of Harm Reduction, examines the risks and vulnerability to HIV of female injecting drug users (IDU) in Bangladesh. The study looked at 130 female IDUs, of which 82 were sex workers, in three cities in the Dhaka region. Findings show that none had HIV but more sex workers had lifetime syphilis than non-sex workers. Researchers also found that fewer sex worker than non-sex worker IDUs lived with families, but reported more lending needles/syringes and sharing injection materials.
The authors conclude that female IDU in Bangladesh are at risk of a major HIV epidemic both from injection sharing and sexual risk behaviour, and sex worker IDUs appear especially vulnerable. The harm reduction services available to female IDUs are limited and there is a need to expand the needle-syringe coverage to female IDU and provide gender sensitive harm reduction services. The authors outline how the lack of legality of harm reduction services make it dangerous for providers to run services, as well as for beneficiaries to access clean needs/syringes, condoms and other services. They suggest that oral drug substitution could be a very effective harm reduction strategy for preventing the spread of HIV at this early stage of the epidemic. [adapted from author]
