A qualitative assessment of injection drug use and harm reduction programmes in Kabul, Afghanistan: 2006-2007.

The International Journal on Drug Policy
Catherine S ToddSteffanie A Strathdee

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to examine the context of injection drug use in Kabul, Afghanistan among injection drug users (IDUs) utilising and not utilising needle and syringe programmes (NSPs). Following identification of themes from eight focus group discussions, free-lists were used for further exploration with both NSP using (n=30) and non-NSP using (n=31) IDUs. All participants were male, had been injecting for 5 years (mean), and most (95%) had been refugees in the past decade. Main reasons for sharing syringes were convenience and lack of availability and did not vary based on NSP use. Drug users perceived alienation from the community, evidenced by names used for drug users by the community which convey social stigma and moral judgment. Health risks were the principal stated risk associated with drug use, which was mentioned more frequently by NSP users. Harm reduction services available in Kabul are perceived to be insufficient for those in need of services, resulting in under utilisation. The limited scope and distribution of services was frequently cited both as an area for improvement among NSP using IDU or as a reason not to use existing programmes. While some positive differences emerged among NSP-using IDU, the...Continue Reading

References

Dec 29, 2000·Social Science & Medicine·F I Bastos, S A Strathdee
Jul 1, 2006·Substance Use & Misuse·Evan Wood, Thomas Kerr
Jul 1, 2006·Substance Use & Misuse·Kevin IrwinLarissa Badrieva
Jul 1, 2006·Substance Use & Misuse·Dave Burrows

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Citations

Feb 12, 2011·Conflict and Health·Nadine EzardMark van Ommeren
Dec 23, 2009·Substance Use & Misuse·Julia Dickson-Gomez
Nov 25, 2014·Addiction Research & Theory·Erin E Bonar, Harold Rosenberg
Sep 14, 2010·The Journal of Infection·Muhammad Rafiq KhananiSyed H Ali
Sep 17, 2011·Drug and Alcohol Review·Mohammad Raza StanekzaiSteffanie A Strathdee
Jun 22, 2012·The International Journal on Drug Policy·Catherine S ToddCatherine Panter-Brick
Oct 12, 2014·The Lancet Global Health·Wayne D Hall, Louisa Degenhardt
Jun 30, 2010·Sexually Transmitted Diseases·Catherine S ToddJeffrey Tjaden

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