Table 1 Frequencies of Responses to Questions on Needle Exchange
Item | N | % |
|---|---|---|
Agencies currently offering needle exchange (n = 40 agencies) | 5 | 12.5 |
Agencies that considered offering it | 12 | 34 |
Considered it, but decided against it because (n = 21 respondents) | Â | Â |
   Little/no perceived need/demand | 4 | 19.0 |
   service already provided locally | 4 | 19.0 |
   staff resistance | 1 | 4.8 |
   anticipated community opposition | 3 | 14.3 |
   Lack of funding | 2 | 9.5 |
   presently being considered | 2 | 9.5 |
   Don't know | 9 | 42.9 |
   Other | 3 | 14.3 |
In agencies not offering needle exchange (n = 59 respondents) | Â | Â |
Intra-agency obstacles | Â | Â |
   Little/no perceived need/demand | 12 | 22.0 |
   Lack of medical staff | 5 | 8.5 |
   Lack of funding | 7 | 11.9 |
   service already provided locally | 6 | 10.2 |
   staff resistance | 3 | 5.1 |
   contravenes agency's policy/philosophy | 2 | 3.4 |
   outside mandate/not a medical facility | 5 | 8.5 |
   Lack of staff | 8 | 13.6 |
   Don't know | 1 | 1.7 |
   Other | 27 | 45.8 |
   None | 8 | 13.6 |
Extra-agency obstacles | Â | Â |
   community resistance/opposition | 31 | 52.5 |
   resistance/opposition from other agencies | 3 | 5.1 |
   Lack of local political support | 3 | 5.1 |
   funding | 2 | 3.4 |
   it would be seen as a duplication of services | 1 | 1.7 |
   May be seen as promoting drug use. | 12 | 20.3 |
   Don't know | 2 | 3.4 |
   Other | 6 | 10.2 |
   None | 8 | 13.6 |
Expected benefits of needle exchange | Â | Â |
   None | 3 | 5.1 |
   reduction in HIV/STDs | 35 | 59.3 |
   might encourage IV drug users to seek counseling | 17 | 28.8 |
   community safety | 7 | 11.9 |
   greater accessibility/convenience for IV drug users | 7 | 11.9 |
   fallows for greater openness about drug use | 3 | 5.1 |
   Don't know | 3 | 5.1 |
   Other | 25 | 42.4 |
For agencies that offer needle exchange (n = 8) | Â | Â |
Reasons for introducing it | Â | Â |
   Reduce the spread of HIV/STDs | 4 | 50.0 |
   urged to by AIDS committee/Ministry/other agencies | 1 | 12.5 |
   funding was made available | 1 | 12.5 |
   Other | 4 | 50.0 |
Resistance encountered | Â | Â |
   None | 5 | 62.5 |
   From the staff | 1 | 12.5 |
   From the Board | 1 | 12.5 |
   From the general community | 4 | 50.0 |
How was it dealt with? | Â | Â |
   negotiation/conciliation | 1 | 12.5 |
   through education/information | 1 | 12.5 |
   Don't know | 1 | 12.5 |
   Other | 1 | 12.5 |