Asma Binte Aziz
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh
Title: Evaluate the knowledge and behavior of female Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs) on their reproductive health in selected drop-in-centers in Dhaka City, Bangladesh: A descriptive cross sectional study
Biography
Biography: Asma Binte Aziz
Abstract
Background & Aim: Bangladesh has an estimated 20,000-40,000 people who inject drugs and 11.19% IDUs reported HIV infection. Little is known about female IDUs and their reproductive health issues at national and regional level. The impacts of these drugs on female reproductive health are largely unknown while main focus drawn to HIV/AIDS issues. This exploratory study was aimed to assess the reproductive health status and behaviour of female IDUs in selected drop-in-centre in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.
Methods & Material: This was a descriptive, cross sectional study conducted during January to July 2016 in two drop-incentres in Citipalli and Nayabazar, Dhaka. We visited these two centres once weekly to identify female IDUs and collected data on socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude and practice of safe sex, sexually transmitted disease, their care seeking behaviour and family planning practice using a structured questionnaire.
Results: Among 112 women, 60% were illiterate, 83% were sex worker by profession and mean age was 27 years. About 62% were married, 73% of them did not live with their families. 46% initiated drug use within 16-20 years of age. 41% spent less than Tk 3,000 (about US$40) on drugs in a month. Pethidine (90%) was the most commonly used drug and 15% respondents reported of using cocktail drug. 97% have knowledge about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and their signs and symptoms. Around 96% respondents experienced STI in the last 12 months. 81% female IDUs were taking treatment from the respective drop-in-centres and most of them (86%) were satisfied. Condom was widely used (78%) among the female IDUs where emergency contraceptive pill was the least common (0.1%). They mainly used condom to avoid unwanted birth and
were self-motivated for using it. Majority thought using condom during sex was safe and peer education played a vital role in their knowledge.
Conclusion: The overall impact of injecting drugs in reproductive age groups is huge, as it plays a key role to transmit several deadly infections. Further large scale study is warranted to plan effective control strategies.