The joint meeting of International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research (ISSTDR) and International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) was held in July 2013 in Vienna, Austria. The conference had attracted over 1300 submissions and was divided into six tracks. The track chairs reviewed all presentations and identified key themes and data that delegates should be aware of. In a conference summary session, each track chair presented these highlights. This conference report details and expands on this summary.

Summary and highlights of the scientific tracks at the STI & AIDS World Congress 2013, Vienna

Background North East of India is a hub of Drug Use activities (NACO 2007). Although the government has specific programme to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities of Injecting Drug Users and cater to their health needs, it focuses on the male IDUs, ignoring the vulnerabilities of Female Injecting Drug Users; not recognising their separate needs. There is no Gender disaggregated data on IDUs available (UNODC 2004). Given that the socio-economic background and psychological conditions of FIDUs are different from their male counterparts (UNODC 2004), this study has been undertaken to study the sexual practises of and drug use pattern among FIDUs in Sikkim. Methods The study has been conducted among FIDUs registered under the government projects operational in Sikkim. The sample had been selected on the basis of stratified random sampling. Structured Questionnaires had been developed and the Interviewers had been oriented on the research tool. Results The study reveals that 73% of the FIDUs are sex workers, while 27% have multiple sexual partners. 36% inject drugs alone (70% have suffered overdose) while 64% inject drugs in groups. 80% of the respondents consume both injecting and non-injecting drugs. 39% are daily drug users and the rest weekly. 38% and 42% are using drugs since for last 6 months and over one year respectively, highlighting that drug use is an age old practise and there are continuous new entries. Although only 10% of the respondents use condoms, 89% use oral contraceptives thereby reducing chances of pregnancy but risk of STI and HIV remain. 57% of the respondents have suffered from STI. Conclusion Thus, the study reveals that convergence of drugs related services and sexual & reproductive health services are essential. Unsafe injecting drug use combined with unprotected sex with multiple partners needs to be recognised and addressed through a comprehensive programme.

https://sti.bmj.com/content/sextrans/89/Suppl_1/A300.3.full.pdf

A RoyChowdhury

Papers

P4.040 Study to Explore the Sexual Behaviour and Practises, and Drug Use Pattern Among Female Injecting Drug Users in Sikkim