Increasing HIV Prevention Among People Who Inject Drugs In Nigeria: A Systematic Review Of HAF II Project

Background: Injection drug use (IDU) is a vector for HIV on all continents, most notably in Asia, Eastern Europe and more recently, the Middle East and North Africa. However, little intervention has been carried out to reduce HIV risk among injection drug users. This study was an intervention study conducted among injection drug users in Nigeria to reduce their risk to HIV/ AIDS by providing access to HIV counselling, testing and its treatment. Methods: This project was an intervention effort focused on delivering evidence-based HIV prevention activities among injection drug users in the six-geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The estimated target population for the study was 5,406 injection drug users and this project used the Minimum Prevention Package Intervention (MPPI). Peer educators were selected and trained among the injection drug users to reach out to their peers using cohort sessions. Data were documented using various monitoring and evaluation tools, entered on the District Health Information Software version 2 and analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results: A total of 494 community dialogues were held with 2,265 influencers participating in the process. In addition, 246 injecting drug users were referred, while 260 persons benefitted from the income generating activities aimed at capacity building for injecting drug users. A total of 10897 injection drug users were counselled, tested and received results, with 662 persons referred. Most, 46.08% were receiving STI services and 28.3% were going for STI follow-up visit. Although 193227 condoms were distributed, these numbers was below the number of condoms required during the intervention. Conclusion: This intervention was a success. However, more needs to be done with regards to condom distribution and supply among injection drug users since there is a crucial role for injection drug users to play in the plot of reducing the prevalence of HIV in Nigeria.