What Works for Women and Girls

9. Programming to prevent initiation of injecting drug use shows promise in reducing thenumber of IDUs and associated HIV risk behaviors.In Central Asia, 62 percent of new HIV cases were caused by injecting drug use. Anintervention in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, “Break the Cycle,” educated youth (no sexdisaggregated data) about the risks of injecting drug use and also reached out to currentIDUs to prevent drug initiation. The program encouraged current IDUs to refuse tohelp others inject drugs for the first time, to develop skills for refusing such requests,not to inject in the presence of non-users, and not to talk about the perceived benefitsof injecting drugs. The intervention asked current IDUs to participate in the program’sdesign and implementation and built on existing harm reductions services by reachingout to current IDUs through rehab and clean needle syringe programs. Results indicatethat estimated new IDUs dropped by 55% between 2006 and 2008. Additionally,“from 2006 to 2008, the percent of IDUs assisting with first injection dropped 14% inUzbekistan and 9% in Kyrgyzstan.” The study also noted that “drug users appreciatedbeing supported to deal with pressure from drug-curious youth,” (Prohow, 2009). (GrayIV) (drug use, peer education, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan)Gaps in Programming—Women Drug Users and Female Partners of Male IDUs1. Interventions are needed to provide individuals and couples with a better understanding ofthe risk of acquiring HIV through sexual practices as well as through injecting drug use.2. HIV prevention information and services are needed for IDUs receiving treatment forsubstance abuse.3. Interventions are needed to increase access to methadone and buprenorphine—effectivesubstitution therapy for the treatment of drug dependence.4. HIV prevention for IDUs must go beyond detoxification programs alone.5. Interventions are needed to inform women IDUs of harm reduction early in pregnancy.1. Interventions are needed to provide individuals and couples with a better understanding ofthe risk of acquiring HIV through sexual practices as well as through injecting drug use.(IOM, 2007). Studies found low rates of condom use despite sexual relationships withIDUs, lack of knowledge by IDUs on sexual and reproductive health and lack of access toclean needles.Gap noted, for example, in Russia (Toussova et al., 2009); Taiwan (Chang, 2008);Vietnam (Nguyen and Scannapieco, 2008, Go et al., 2006); India (Haobam, 2008);Brazil (Oliveira, 2007); and generally (IOM, 2007).WHAT WORKS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS99