These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Harm reduction in developing countries.
    Author: Wong C.
    Journal: Bridg Wash D C; 1998 Jun 29; (1):5. PubMed ID: 12222197.
    Abstract:
    Manipur, a state in northeast India and one of its poorest areas, has widespread iv drug use and accompanying risky behavior. By the early 1990s, 50% of iv drug users (IDUs) there were infected with HIV. Initial efforts to implement harm reduction measures by the state government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) were unsuccessful because of concerns regarding community resistance. According to Khomdon Singh Lisam, Project Director of the Manipur State AIDS Control Society, it was necessary to lay the groundwork for harm reduction by involving community and professional groups; this led to the adoption of the Manipur State AIDS Policy (MSAP) by the State Cabinet. This policy permits the implementation of a number of services, including needle exchange and education about sterilizing drug equipment. According to Lisam, there is strong community support for the harm reduction program. In the city of Madras, in southern India, needle exchange is illegal (the MSAP is one of a kind in India), but needles can be bought for a few centimes at pharmacies. However, according to M. Suresh Kumar, of the Society for Aid and Help for Addictive Illnesses (SAHAI) in Madras, IDUs cannot afford money for the needles. SAHAI has been working together with influential people to develop outreach programs. Education of IDUs must be face-to-face, because illiteracy is so high; the social networks and families of IDUs are also educated about risk reduction.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]