Challenges and Successes of Harm Reduction Services in Drop-In Centers: Perspectives of Service Providers Publisher



Ravaghi H¹ ; Zandian H² ; Kazerooni PA³ ; Sabet M³ ; Mostafavi H² ; Sakha MA² Show Affiliations
Source: International Journal of High Risk Behaviors and Addiction Published:2017

Abstract

Background: In Iran, the mostcommonmodeof HIV transmissionamongmale intravenous drug users is sharing injection needles and syringes.Harm reduction initiatives, as a way of reducing the burden of this problem, are a set of policies and programs which attempt primarily to reduce the adverse health, social, and economic consequences of substances to drug users, their families, and communities. Objectives: The objective of this study was to elucidate the challenges and successes of HIV/AIDS services delivery as perceived by senior officials and service providers. Patients and Methods: Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Shiraz, Iran with a purposive sample of subnational service providers. A thematic analysis of these qualitative data was conducted by the authors. Results: Participants identified major challenges and successes of HIV/AIDS services delivery. Service delivery and accessibility, in terms of challenges and successes, were classified. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that, despite greater availability of HIV/AIDS services, this availability is not associated with greater accessibility and utilization because of multiple, complex, and interrelated barriers to HIV/AIDS service provision at the service delivery level. © 2016, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.