Expanding the reach of harm reduction in Thailand: Experiences with a drug user-run drop-in centre

Abstract Background Despite an ongoing epidemic of HIV among Thai people who inject drugs (IDU), Thailand has failed to implement essential harm reduction programmes. In response, a drug user-led harm reduction centre opened in 2004 in an effort to expand reduction programming in Thailand. Methods We examined experiences with the Mitsampan Harm Reduction Centre (MSHRC) among IDU participating in the Mitsampan Community Research Project (Bangkok). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with MSHRC use. We also examined services used at and barriers to the MSHRC. Results 252 IDU participated in this study, including 66 (26.2%) females. In total, 74 (29.3%) participants had accessed the MSHRC. In multivariate analyses, MSHRC use was positively associated with difficulty accessing syringes (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 4.05; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.67–9.80), midazolam injection (AOR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.58–6.71), having greater than primary school education (AOR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.01–3.52), and was negatively associated with female gender (AOR = 0.20; 95%CI: 0.08–0.50). Forms of support most commonly accessed included: syringe distribution (100%), food and a place to rest (83.8%), HIV education (75.7%), and safer injecting education (66.2%). The primary reason given for not having accessed the MSHRC was “didn’t know it existed.” Conclusion The MSHRC is expanding the scope of harm reduction in Thailand by reaching IDU, including those who report difficulty accessing sterile syringes, and by providing various forms of support. In order to maximise its benefits, efforts should be made to increase awareness of the MSHRC, in particular among women.