Models and schemes of interaction between the bodies of internal affairs, nongovernmental organizations, medical institutions and social services in access to prevention and treatment programs for IDU: experience, needs and potential of the pilot regions

Year of research: 2014
Customer: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supported by USAID

The research was conducted in 2014 as part of the project “Strengthening the activities of law enforcement agencies, prison system and drug service in response to HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ukraine” (HIV-PLEDGE),

The purpose of this research was to provide expert consulting and support for the project HIV-PLEDGE in development and adaptation of cooperation and partnership schemes between the bodies of internal affairs, health and social services, and civil society organizations (CSOs) to improve access to prevention and treatment programs for injecting drug users (IDUs).

The following aspects were analyzed within the research:

  • Existing regional models of cooperation between state institutions and CSOs in accordance with international standards and recommendations on the role of police services in HIV prevention, developed by UNODC, UNAIDS and WHO, as well as the effectiveness of these models in the context of Ukraine;
  • needs and perspectives of the three pilot regions (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava cities) in relation to the system of services redirection based on the collaboration between the bodies of internal affairs, hospitals and other providers of HIV services to ease the access to HIV prevention and treatment, including syringe exchange and substitution therapy.

Research methods:

1) Flexible interviews with national experts representing international donor organizations in Ukraine.

2) Flexible interviews with regional experts:

  • CSO leaders;
  • Chief doctors of AIDS prevention and treatment centers;
  • Chief doctors of drug clinics;
  • Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
  • SecretariesofRegionalCoordination Councils on HIV/AIDS.

3) Consultation with managers of ICF “International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine” who coordinate harm reduction projects in the regions under study.

4) Analysis of the discussions that took place as part of “round tables” organized by UNODC to present the results of the analysis of interaction and international experience.

5) Analysis of official epidemiological data for the studied regions.

6) A secondary analysis of biological and behavioral study results.

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