Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding HIV Prevention Among Intravenous Drug Users and The Role of NGOS

Abstract

HIV prevention among intravenous drug users remains a major public health priority because unsafe injecting practices, sexual risk behaviour, stigma, and delayed testing can sustain transmission within vulnerable networks. The present study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding HIV prevention among people who inject drugs and examined the role of non-governmental organizations in awareness generation, counselling, harm reduction, and referral support. A descriptive crosssectional design was used with 120 respondents selected from community and NGOlinked service points. Information was collected through a structured closed-ended questionnaire covering socio-demographic profile, drug-use pattern, knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention, attitude towards testing and counselling, preventive practices, and utilization of NGO services. The findings show that NGOs are important public health partners in reaching marginalized injecting-drugusing populations through peer educators, counselling, sterile needle and syringe services, condom distribution, testing referral, and linkage to treatment. The study concludes that HIV prevention among people who inject drugs requires integrated, stigma-free, community-based services that combine information, behaviour-change counselling, harm reduction, repeat HIV testing, and continuity of care. Strengthening NGO-government coordination can improve prevention outcomes and reduce HIV transmission risks among this high-risk group.