Rapid assessment and response to injecting drug use in Madras, south India

HIV infection among injecting drug users (IDUs) is preventable, and in order to develop appropriate interventions, an assessment was carried out at Madras, South India using the Rapid Assessment and Response Guide on Injecting Drug Use developed by WHO. Data were collected with multiple methods from multiple sources using the principles of triangulation and induction. A total of 100 IDUs were interviewed. These interviews were complemented by focus groups and observations. A community advisory board ensured community ownership and participation. Findings showed that heroin, buprenorphine, diazepam and avil were the drugs most commonly injected. The use of pharmaceutical preparations as a 'cocktail' was also prevalent. Drug injectors interviewed were males, and most (81%) were from low-income groups living in slums. Direct (69%) as well as indirect sharing (94%) was common. Such unhygienic injecting practices, and the lack of access to sterile water, contribute to the high incidence of adverse health consequences. Compared with the buprenorphine injectors, heroin injectors were more likely to share injecting equipment (P=0.0022), inject more frequently (P=0.0013), have more drug using network members (P=0.0104), frequent 'shooting' locations (P=0.002), use the dealer's place to inject (P=0.0317), and face threats of arrest (P=0.0023). Many buprenorphine injectors managed their life without serious crises, and seemed to adopt a 'natural' harm reduction response. Sexual risk behaviour was prevalent among opioid users, and a history of commercial sex was associated with daily alcohol use (P=0.0221). The assessment led to an action plan which was presented and endorsed in an advocacy meeting by key stake-holders and decision-makers. The critical importance of implementing quality, accessible, community-oriented, and effective HIV interventions with the capacity to reach the majority of IDUs is discussed. Public health responses to injecting drug use must target changes among individuals at-risk, as well as in the community and risk environment.