Assessment of Effectiveness of Targeted Intervention Program Under National AIDS Control Program among Injecting Drug Users Across India

Background: High HIV prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs) remains a cause of concern and are considered key drivers of concentrated epidemic in India. The present paper aims to assess the effectiveness of the targeted intervention (TI) program on the risk behaviors among IDUs across regions of India. Materials and Methods: This paper used the data from the integrated biological and behavioral surveillance 2014–2015 among the IDUs in India. Descriptive statistics and propensity score matching analysis was carried out to understand the effectiveness of the TI program on the new needle/syringe used and needle/syringe shared in the last injecting episode by accounting for the covariates. Results: The matched samples estimate, i.e., average treatment effect on treated of new needles/syringe used and shared in the last injecting episode by those who received needles/syringes from peer educator or outreach workers (PE/ORWs) and those who did not receive was 2.8% (confidence interval [CI]: 0.05–5.6) increase in the use of new needles/syringes and 6.5% (CI: −9.7–−3.3) decrease in the needles/syringes shared in last injecting episode indicating that IDUs who received new needles/syringes from PE/ORWs are more likely to use new needle/syringe and less likely to share needle/syringes to those who did not receive needles/syringes. The results vary across the different regions of India. Conclusion: TI program proves to be an effective initiative in the behavior change among IDUs as substantiated by use of new needles/syringes and decreased sharing of needles/syringes. TI program coverage varies from region to region and may further be expanded to accelerate the program services to prevent HIV/AIDS.

Sobre descrições, retificações e objetividade científica: reflexões metodológicas a partir de uma pesquisa sobre condutas sexuais e HIV/aids entre homens com práticas homossexuais / On descriptions, rectifications, and scientific objectivity: methodological reflections from a research on sexual behavior and HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men

Resumo Este ensaio reflete sobre a positividade de conhecimentos produzidos por abordagens etnográficas, a partir da discussão dos meandros de uma pesquisa sobre homens que se relacionam sexualmente com outros homens e vulnerabilidade ao HIV/aids. Propõe como falsa a oposição entre metodologias explicativas e compreensivas, uma vez que ambos os princípios estão presentes, em maior ou menor grau, em todas as investigações em ciências humanas e sociais. Nessa linha, põe em xeque critérios de cientificidade do "senso comum científico" que fazem o uso da matemática como o demarcador. Exemplifica como a descrição crítica do próprio ato de pesquisar e das retificações sobre os obstáculos ao conhecimento, identificados no próprio caminho, conferem objetividade aos conhecimentos produzidos. O diferencial etnográfico em relação a outras abordagens de ênfase compreensiva é a explicitação da própria experiência dos pesquisadores no campo como recurso crítico e analítico.

Abstract This essay reflects on the positivity of knowledge produced by ethnographic approaches, based on the discussion on a research about men who have sex with men and vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, Considering that both explanatory and comprehensive methodologies are present, to a greater or less extent, in all investigations in human and social sciences, this essay proposes as false the opposition between both principles. It challenges the scientificity criteria of "scientific common sense" that use mathematics as demarcator. The text exemplifies how the critical description of the act of researching, and rectifying the obstacles to knowledge identified in the path itself grant objectivity to the resulting knowledge. The ethnographic differential of this essay consists of explaining the researchers' field experience as a critical and analytical resource.

The Youth Reproductive Health Survey in Granada, Nicaragua: Promoting Partnership between the Health and Education Sectors / 国際保健医療

Objective: We facilitated a behavior survey on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health related issues among the youth in Granada, Nicaragua, and attempted to increase awareness among various stakeholders and promote partnership between the health and education sectors.<br>Methods: A behavioral survey was conducted among high teen students in Granada. Schools were sampled in collaboration with the educational sector.<br>Results: A total of 689 students participated. At the age of 16 years old, 33.3% of males and 7.2% of females had sexual experience, while 48.1% and 18.5%, respectively, at 18 years old. Only 28.2% of males and 13.3% of females reported condom use at the last non-commerical sex. <br>Discussion: The behavioral survey showed the risky situation among the youth in Granada and their needs.The results were discussed with various stakeholders, including the health and education sectors and students themselves. Behavioral survey can be an effective tool to gain support from the community and stakeholders across the administrative sectors. It is now perceived essential to promote the partnership between the health and education sectors to meet the needs of the youths and to build the capacity among the peer groups for effective response.