A Survey In Drug Users Treatment Centers In Gansu Province

Focus of the researchThe focus of the research is about high-risk behaviors of drug users and related social and cultural backgroud.MethodThe research is based on transcripts of 15 focus group discussions conducted in 4 drug users treatment center in Gensu Province by the author in Oct. - Nov. 2002.Purpose of the researchBy knowing HIV related high-risk behaviors of drug users and related social and cultural factors, it is to provide a concrete, and socially and culturally appropriate suggestions so as to establish HIV/AIDS prevention stratege for the drug users treatment center in Gansu Province.Significance of the research- Significance to improve work1 , Firstly, the result of the research can be used by authorities of the drug users treatment centers to improve the AIDS prevention program in the system; and can also be referenced by the local public health authorities for aids prevention decision making.2, Secondly, the survey result can also be referenced by managers of correctional settings of any other kinds for their AIDS prevention planning in China.- Significanct in the sense of methodologyThe drug users group is very special, thus it is not at all easy to gather HIV related behaviors data among them in drug users treatment centers. Owing to this, it could be regarded as something fulfilling the gap. Either the benefits or the loss got from the survey can be viewed as an experice by researcher herearter.- Significance for the theoryAIDS/HIV figure of China may reach 10million up to 2010, accordingto the assessment report by UN theme group and MOH of China in1977.Since late 1990s, the new infection rate of HIV each year in China is as high as 30% that indicates the prevention strategy of the whole country is not effective. Where are the barriers that block the road? How to break out the barriers? What kind of measures should be taken?Throught observing high risk behavors, to probe the epidemic, and then gradually find out the proper explanations to problems in social mechanism for AIDS prevention and control in China, still remains a serious challenge for all aids researchers to face. Therefore, high risk behavor research is a very meanningful research topic when aiming to predict the epidemic trend in China.Results1. Among drug users in treatment centers of Gansu, high-risk behaviors of taking by individuals are largely determined by institutional structure of the society.2. Lacking information and awareness of aids due to less education owing to poverty, and even less knowledge about aids of the minorities not only caused by poverty and less education, but also the result of culture barriers between nationalities, made these people vulnerable to HIV.3. The reasons for women drug users' vulnerability to HIV are more profounding and complex: besides lacking aids awareness caused by poverty and less education, there are also reasons like strong discrimination from the society.New points1. The prevention strategy should be adjusted to the perspective of social structure. The group prisoned in correctional settings like drug users centers, the people with low education, and druge use women should be given special emphasis2. Prevention program should aim the target population better, payingmore attention to effectiveness. It is necessary to promote commitment from leadship at all levels and care from the public, as well as the participation of various high-risk populations. It is necessary to find out effective ways to spread prevention information, i.e., various, easy to understand, localized, and proved to be good to change behaviours.3. It is important to estalish prize to award personals whom conducted researches, wrote investigations, and who created attest products to advocate social equality and to fight against HIV/AIDS related discrimination and stigma.Being a developing country experiencing in the course of great social transition, China indeed has many disadvantages in aids p...