Remember: HIV prevention should begin immediately

Remember: HIV prevention should begin immediately, even if there haven’t been many cases of HIV
in the area. The spread of HIV among injectors can occur rapidly—more rapidly than the time it
would take to set up a programme in response.
Injecting behaviour and patterns: What drugs they tend to inject, when and how many times
they usually inject, the places where they usually “hang out”. Remember that injecting on
the street or public places often escalates the risk. Who they inject with is also relevant:
IDUs who use drug with strangers (SW for example) are at increased risk. Also, using with
many people and rapid partner changes can spread the HIV infection rapidly.
If there is a leader in charge of their network: For example, if adults are those in charge,
who bring youth in, then a different approach is needed than if it’s a network of youth
only—in which you should use peers to reach them.
Their sexual behaviour: How much risky behaviour is there? Who do they have sex with—
regular partners or CSW or others? Do they use condoms?
The HIV/AIDS (and STI) situation in this population: How many people have these illnesses
as well as whether support and health services exist in the area and the extent to which
IDUs are aware of them.
It may not be so easy to gather all this information. Do not let lack of information stop you
from getting started, however keep in mind that the more you know, the more chances you will
have to reach your target group. Also remember you can always collect more information once
you have got started.
So, how do you get this information [33]?
Young people involved in your project can tell you about issues that are important to them and
trend that they know about. They can also help you gather information from the target group.
Gathering information directly from the target group is useful; this may be done in informal
studies, and interviews in the field.
Remember: IDUs may be suspicious of you and not want to talk to you about their activities. It
helps to make contact with one or two people and through them reach others. IDUs may not want
to admit to sharing needle and syringes. They may understate their risk behaviours.
“Nobody wants to admit that they do it [share]. How stupid do you look? They know and
we know that you’re not supposed to share anything, not even a spoon. So you feel like
you’ve done something wrong. I guess you have [done something wrong] but you don’t
want to admit it cause you know it’s wrong too.” Alex [15]
Drug treatment services.
Local authorities on AIDS and health as well as universities may have information that you
can use.