Mapping Injecting Drug Users in Northeastern India
Author Information
Author(s): Medhi Gajendra Kumar, Mahanta Jagadish, Adhikary Rajatashuvra, Akoijam Brogen S, Liegise Buno, Sarathy Kalpana, Thomas Chelliah Joshua, Sarmah Bhupen
Primary Institution: Regional Medical Research Centre, NE Region, Indian Council of Medical Research
Hypothesis
What are the spatial distribution and characteristics of injecting drug users (IDUs) in five Northeastern states of India?
Conclusion
The study highlights the significant presence of injecting drug users in five Northeastern Indian states, emphasizing the need for improved HIV prevention strategies.
Supporting Evidence
- 2462 IDU locations were identified across five states.
- Many injecting locations were in rural areas, contrary to the belief that drug use is mainly an urban issue.
- Sharing of needles and syringes was reported by a large proportion of IDUs.
Takeaway
This study looked at where people who use drugs gather in Northeastern India and found many places, showing that drug use is a big problem there.
Methodology
Locations of IDUs were identified through Key Informants and verified with field visits and interviews.
Potential Biases
Purposive sampling may have introduced bias in the findings.
Limitations
The study could not cover some remote areas, and many IDUs may not congregate at identifiable locations due to the clandestine nature of their behavior.
Participant Demographics
The majority of IDUs were male, with some locations having female IDUs involved in sex work.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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