Theme: Epidemiology & Public Health Research Year: 2024
Background: 80,000 of the 14.3 million people who use drugs in Nigeria are IDUs. 1:5 are women. Pharmaceutical opioids followed by heroin and crack are most injected. The main sources of injection equipment are pharmacies, friends, other injection drug users, and drug dealers. With these statistics, interventions for PWID need to be audience and context-specific, and in a way that there is value for money. UNODC supported the government’s Needle/Syringe Pilot study in three states to complement the interventions that were already being implemented as part of the national harm reduction program for PWID. Consequently, appropriate state programs are being implemented.
Methods: A prospective closed cohort study that measured the uptake of needle syringe exchange, blood-borne virus services including HIV and hepatitis, preventions interventions such as condoms and PrEP, and referrals for other services such as TB, STIs, wound dressing, and other clinical services.
Results: 2,731 clients were recruited. HTS was conducted on 1,964 (72%) and 15 (0.76%) were HIV positive. The linkage to care rate of HIV+ clients 87% (13/15). 19 clients had STIs and started on STI treatment. One PWID was TB presumptive and referred for TB diagnosis and treatment. 14 were referred for wound dressing in a treatment facility. 106,787 male condoms, 216 female condoms, 938 lubricants and 83,668 needles/syringes (25% of 2ml, 25% of 1ml detached, and 50% of 1ml fixed) were distributed. 50% (41,677) N/S were retrieved. Viral hepatitis screening was not done due to the absence of the kits.
Conclusion:
The Study showed that the NS program was acceptable to the PWID community. Issues around services and commodities availability, referrals and linkages, monitoring and supervision are being seriously considered in planning for effective scale up of the harm reduction program in the three states and nationally.