AEGiS-14IAC: Best practice harm reduction in community and prisons settings in Russian Federation: a world bank study.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Best practice harm reduction in community and prisons settings in Russian Federation: a world bank study.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. MoOrD1063)

Burrows D
3 Palms Consulting, Sydney, Australia

A World Bank commissioned study in 2001 examined best practice harm reduction for HIV prevention among injecting drug users (IDUs) in community and prisons settings in Russian Federation (RF). The project report is based on 26 surveys completed by needle and syringe exchange projects (NSEPs) in RF, interviews with NSEP staff and key informants, and other research.

RESULTS: - By early 2001, there were at least 48 NSEPs in RF. Key features of these NSEPs included: v NSEPs surveyed were all funded: mean funding US$27,982/program (70% was from international donors and 30% was from local funding sources). v Mean needles and syringes distributed in the previous month was 6258 per program. Secondary exchange accounted for 25% of all distribution. v The mean percentage of IDUs regularly reached by each NSEP is 0.74% (number of clients as a percentage of the estimated number of IDUs in the area served by the NSEP). v Main strengths of programs were regarded as support from local authorities and institutions; caring attitude and pragmatic approach of NSEPs; international technical support and funding; increasing use of secondary exchange and peer education. v Weaknesses cited include: insufficient funds to meet needs; low reach; management problems; patchy quality of services. - By early 2001, there were at least 6 prison harm reduction projects in RF. Key features of these programs included v Commitment at the highest levels. v Training for senior prison authorities, middle management in prisons, custodial staff, medical staff and the prisoners themselves. v Educational materials tailored to the needs of staff and prisoners. v Provision of peer education programs. v Linkage between prisons and community programs. v Links to international consultants and organisations. This paper summarises the most salient results and provides recommendations for best practice for harm reduction in RF.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prisons, Prisoners, Syringes, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Needles, HumanKWDaegis,prisons,prisoners,syringes,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,needles,human

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Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.