LAUSR

Background Injecting drug users (IDUs) are at higher risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and untreated STIs makes IDUs and their partners vulnerable to HIV infection in India especially in case of existing stigma/discrimination and violence against them. This study aims to interlink the stigma, violence and STI/HIV among IDUs. Methods Data from Integrated biological and behavioural survey (IBBS), 2014–15, conducted among male IDUs in India, has been used in this study. IDUs in IBBS were operationally defined as Men, aged 15 years or more, who has used any psychotropic (addictive/mind altering) substance or drug for recreational or non-medical reasons through injections, at least once in the last 3 months. A total of 3175 interviewed IDUs from Manipur, Nagaland and Maharashtra has been analysed by descriptive and multivariate analysis. Results Portray that Widowed/divorced/separated IDUs, those who were living alone, and those who had initiated injecting drug use below age 18 years were more likely to suffer general stigma, stigma at health facility and physical violence. IDUs those who have started injecting drug within the first year of drug use were more likely to suffered stigma at health facility (35%) and physical violence (32%). Prevalence of STI was higher among those IDUs who were facing the general stigma (19.2%), stigma at health facility (21.4%) and physically beaten (26%) because of their IDUs status. Multivariate analysis revealed that IDUs who were facing general stigma, violence and experienced at least one STI symptom were significantly 1.33 (p<0.05) times, 1.98 (p<0.001) and 1.06 (p<0.05) times more likely to have HIV. Conclusion Existing HIV prevention programmes and service providers should have addressed the existing stigma/discriminations and violence associated with their STI/HIV status among IDUs in India. The critical groups of IDUs needs urgent programme to address the micro and macro level determinants that shape their risk environments. Disclosure No significant relationships.