ID: HR19-1480
Presenting author: Monica Anda Ciupagea
Monica Anda Ciupagea
Learning objectives
For many years, the focus on HIV prevention among people who use drugs has concentrated on the injection of opiates. While, compared with other drugs, it is difficult to quantify the contribution the use of stimulants is making to the increase in HIV infection rates, most evidence points towards a positive association between stimulant use, higher-risk sexual and injecting behaviors and HIV infections.
Both non-injecting and injecting stimulant drug use has been associated with sexual transmission of HIV, particularly among men who have sex with men and sex workers.
The overlapping risks between key populations are not sufficiently addressed by current interventions. As a result, relevant HIV services are not tailored to the needs of specific sub-groups and remain inaccessible.
Participants in the workshop will learn more about specific situations and how to address HIV among people who use stimulant drugs focusing on specific key populations (Men having Sex with Men, People Who Inject Drugs, Sex Workers, Transgender people).
The goal of the workshop is to increase the knowledge and capacity of participants to develop effective strategies to ensure that people who use stimulant drugs and are vulnerable to HIV have access HIV services.
The workshop will consist of:
a) Overview of the epidemiological situation related to HIV and stimulant drug use- presentation of the results of the UNODC literature review followed by discussion;
b) Barriers and opportunities for addressing the specific needs of the key populations - interactive group exercise followed by plenary discussion;
c) Introduction of the UNODC new guide "HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care for People Who Use Stimulant Drugs" - plenary presentation.
d) Lessons learned, evaluation, closing
Workshop target audience: community representatives, programme implementation specialists, public health officials.