Package of interventions for harm reduction among women who inject drugs in Nigeria

Women who inject drugs (WID) in Nigeria face significant barriers to harm reduction services, including punitive policies, stigma, and gender-based violence, which increase their risk of HIV and hepatitis. This study presents proposed intervention models aimed at enhancing harm reduction services for WID in Nigeria. This study employed a human-centered design approach to develop interventions for WID in Nigeria. The resulting intervention models were informed by qualitative assessments and stakeholder engagement, and were aligned with national health policies. The key interventions developed include strategic advocacy to engage stakeholders in fostering supportive harm reduction policies, human rights campaigns to address gender-based violence and educate WID on their rights, and training outreach workers in wound management and naloxone administration. Additional measures include the Help Card initiative for reporting GBV and accessing support, the Speak Out intervention, and tailored harm reduction education on safe practices and available resources. A multi-pronged empowerment approach aims to enhance agency, while subsidized healthcare services reduce financial barriers to HBV vaccination and cervical cancer screening. Social protection initiatives integrate WID into safety nets, ensuring access to health insurance, child advocacy, and nutritional support. The package of interventions offers a promising, multi-dimensional approach to harm reduction for WID in Nigeria. Through human-centered design and stakeholder engagement, the interventions address both structural and individual barriers, creating scalable and sustainable strategies adaptable to regional contexts.