Harm reduction approach in Egypt: the insight of injecting drug users

Doaa Oraby

doi:10.1186/1477-7517-10-17

Abstract

BackgroundEgypt has low HIV prevalence (below 0∙02%) among the general population, mostly attributed to the conservative culture. The 2010 second round biological/behavioral surveillance survey (Bio-BSS) conducted in some governorates revealed concentrated epidemic among male injecting drug users (IDUs).MethodsThe current study aimed at exploring the perspective of IDUs regarding the HIV preventive efforts targeting them to provide relevant evidence based policy recommendations. The study included desk review, in-depth interviews with service providers and focus group discussions with IDUs of both sexes.ResultsThe study described the current harm reduction interventions in Egypt and highlighted the insights of active IDUs and service providers interacting with them as regards their ability to address their needs and what they miss in these interventions and how IDUs perceive these interventions.ConclusionThe epidemiological reality of HIV infection in Egypt favors prioritizing efforts to the high risk groups rather than the general population. Hence, harm reduction should be at the core of interventions targeting HIV. The current study revealed that there is still a long way to go to enhance the role of these interventions in influencing a significant behavior change among target group.

Highlights

Egypt has low HIV prevalence among the general population, mostly attributed to the conservative culture
Desk review and analysis of in-depth interviews (IDIs) revealed that HIV prevention efforts in Egypt encompass public interventions for general population and recently adopted targeted interventions for high risk groups including injecting drug users (IDUs)
Harm reduction interventions targeting IDUs were established in Egypt in 2008; they were funded by international organizations and implemented by NGOs with active linkages to high risk groups including IDUs, men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSWs)

Summary

Introduction

Egypt has low HIV prevalence (below 0∙02%) among the general population, mostly attributed to the conservative culture. Several studies have documented relatively high levels of injection equipment reuse in MENA, such as the reuse of HIV spread is not a question of law enforcement to prevent risky behavior; repressive measures will only complicate prevention efforts and push risky behavior further underground, making it even more difficult to reach these groups with programs. This would not change the vulnerability settings but would deprive MENA governments and their partners from the ability to prevent the epidemic and administer prevention interventions as needed [6]. Once stabilized on OST, eligible HIV-positive IDUs are provided with antiretroviral therapy (ART) [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion