DIFFERENT CONCEPTIONS ABOUT HARM REDUCTION IN STD/HIV/AIDS REFERENCE CENTERS OF FEDERAL DISTRICT

• Main Authors: Daniel Landi Filho, Otávia Daniele Silva Araújo, Rafael de Oliveira Cavalcante, Suellen Santos Mendes, Marilucia Rocha de Almeida Picanço, Ubirajara José Picanço de Miranda Junior
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade de Brasília 2013-05-01
• Series: Revista Gestão & Saúde
• Subjects: Harm reduction; STD/HIV/AIDS; Intravenous drug users
• Online Access: http://gestaoesaude.unb.br/index.php/gestaoesaude/article/view/262/pdf

Harm reduction refers to a set of public health measures whose goal is to minimize damagecausedby illegal drug use. In the Health Department of the Federal District, the HarmReduction Program (HRP) is connected to the Management of STDs/AIDS and started itsactivities since March 1999. Actions under this Program are developed by a group ofvolunteers who work in various satellite towns, without being part of the formal system ofpublic health care.Objective:To assess the degree ofinformationabout harm reduction ofprofessionals from five referral centers for STD/AIDS.Methods:An observational,analytical, cross-sectional, descriptive study, developed along with servers from these centers.Results:Over 70% of the professionals are unaware of the project and the activitiesconducted by the HRP. Only one center had adequateinformationabout the program, with anindex of 86.7%.Conclusion:greater clarification on Harm Reduction and its objectives isnecessary. Also, professional qualification of reference services would include HarmReduction as part of the actions developed in primary health care. The need of greaterawareness among professionals working in health services directly or indirectly with riskpopulation is also noteworthy.