AEGiS-14IAC: Rapid Assessment does act as a catalyst for change and HIV prevention development among substance users: findings from the WHO Phase II drug injecting study (retrospective evaluation component).

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Rapid Assessment does act as a catalyst for change and HIV prevention development among substance users: findings from the WHO Phase II drug injecting study (retrospective evaluation component).

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. WeOrD1352)

Fitch CD, Stimson GV, Poznyak V, Rhodes TJ
Imperial College, London, United Kingdom

BACKGROUND: 'Rapid assessment' (RA) methods have the potential to generate important public health data. This potential is the subject of debate within the substance use and HIV prevention field, with the approach attracting attention as a means of profiling drug-related problems, mobilising HIV prevention efforts, initiating policy change, and as a potential component of 'second generation' HIV surveillance. However, much is still not known about the use and outcomes of RA in the substance use field.

METHODS: The WHO study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the application and outcomes of RA in the substance use field through: (i) a review of published and grey literature on RA (n=300 documents); (ii) survey of individuals and organizations conducting or sponsoring RAs (n=1200 contacts); (iii) in-depth expert interviews (n=10).

RESULTS: Origins and diffusion: the earliest identified RAs in the substance use field were conducted in 1993, with 83 identified studies conducted by 2001 in at least 70 countries, and with approximately 7 out of 10 RAs conducted between 1998-2001. Models of assessment: assessments are taking 9-486 days (69 weeks). Outcomes: important outcomes can follow RA - 1 in 2 studies were followed by medical or non-medical interventions, workshops, training, policy change, community participation, network building, or other outcomes (45/83; 54%), whilst more than 1 in 4 RAs were followed by the development of medical and non-medical interventions, or policy impact and change (25/83; 30%). Furthermore, response development following RA on substance use has been identified in 50 countries.

CONCLUSIONS: RAs have achieved global spread and can facilitate important public health outcomes. However, to realise RA's potential on a wider scale, investment has to be made in the approach's evidence and knowledge base: in short, there is a need to introduce a culture of learning and reflection into a methodology primarily premised on rapidity and pragmatism.

Keywords: AEGIS, Evaluation Studies, HIV Infections, Alcoholism, Retrospective Studies, Substance-Related Disorders, Human Development, Public Policy, Syringes, Health Services Needs and Demand, Condoms, AIDS Serodiagnosis, prevention & control, diagnosis, enzymology, instrumentation, methods

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WeOrD1352