Global Research Network on HIV Prevention in Drug-

Using Populations

Dr. M. Suresh Kumar MD MPH (USA)

Madras, India

Global Research Network

• The GRN is an international network of scientists and practitioners from both governmental and non-governmental organizations, research institutes, and universities, that began to meet in June 1998 to exchange scientific information on effective HIV prevention efforts for injection and non-injection drug users in different countries

Injecting Drug Use and HIV Infection

Source: World Health Organization

Goal

• Preventing the further spread of HIV and other blood-borne diseases among drug-using populations

Objectives• To increase the understanding

about the epidemic of HIV in drug-using populations with implications for HIV, HBV and HCV prevention

• Network members compile and report on research findings both at the regional and country levels

Objectives

• Network facilitates the exchange, dissemination, and diffusion of evidence-based data on HIV prevention responses

Objectives

• GRN promotes utilization of reported findings to establish best practices for reducing HIV risk in drug-using populations and to prevent HIV transmission to other populations

Objectives

• GRN provides an international forum to encourage cross-national studies of the applicability and effectiveness of strategies to prevent HIV and other blood-borne diseases

Sponsoring Agencies

• National Institute on Drug Abuse• National Institutes of Health• U.S. Department of Health and Human

Services• Office of AIDS Research, National

Institutes of Health• Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention

Sponsoring Agencies

• Health Canada • Joint United Nations Programme on

HIV/AIDS• World Health Organization • United Nations Office for Drug Control

and Crime Prevention• Medical Research Council of South

Africa

Countries

Africa• Botswana• Kenya• Nigeria• Sierra Leone• South Africa• Zambia

Asia• India

• Pakistan

• People’s Republic of China

• Thailand

• Vietnam

Countries

South America• Argentina• Brazil

North America• Canada• United States of

America

Australia

Europe• Germany• Hungary• Portugal• Spain• United Kingdom• Russian Federation• Ukraine

Annual Meetings

• Geneva, 1998 World AIDS Conference

• Atlanta, 1999 National HIV Prevention Conference

• Durban, 2000 World AIDS Conference

Prevention Database Indicators Prevalence

• Number of Drug Injectors• Incidence and Prevalence of HIV in

IDUs • Incidence and Prevalence of HCV in

IDUs• Injection and Non-injection drugs in

order of prevalence and use

Prevention Database IndicatorsPrevention

• Community-based outreach

• Syringe- Exchange Programs

• Unrestricted access to syringes and pharmacies

• Bleach Distribution program• Availability/distribution of condoms

Prevention Database Indicators

HIV and Hepatitis

• HIV counseling and testing

• HIV drug therapies

• Hepatitis B vaccination• Hepatitis C action or prevention

Prevention Database Indicators

Others

• Drug treatment / Substitution therapy

• Measures available to prisoners

• Other HIV prevention activities for drug users