A qualitative analysis of transitions to heroin injection in Kenya: implications for HIV prevention and harm reduction

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A qualitative analysis of transitions to heroin injection in Kenya: implications for HIV prevention and harm reduction

6 March 2017
Community Action on Harm Reduction (CAHR)

Harm reduction services are being introduced in Kenya to support people who inject drugs. There is a highly concentrated HIV epidemic amongst people who inject drugs in Kenya, with HIV prevalence estimated at 18% (44% for women).

People who smoke or sniff heroin may change their mode of use and transition to injecting in response to a range of factors. The main risks that follow injecting include HIV and hepatitis C transmission from sharing injecting equipment, and overdose. Therefore, if we can prevent or minimise transitions to injecting then we can prevent or reduce the associated harms. Understanding these factors is a priority to support HIV prevention and harm reduction.

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