Table 1 Documents included in the literature review

Challenges and barriers involving highly stigmatized populations in policy making decisions

Bryant et al.

To describe beliefs about consumer participation in drug treatment services and perceived barriers to consumer participation

The majority of consumers and providers believed in consumer participation; barriers to consumer participation included opinions that it is not the consumers' place to take part, and the lack of interest and skills to participate

Fischer & Neale

To explore challenges in the involvement of illicit drug users in the decisions about their treatment

Challenges to involving drug users in treatment decisions include lack of financial resources, communication between professionals and clients, and lack of investment in education, training and skills

Halloran et al.

To report on the development, implementation and evaluation of Project LEAP, a psychoeducational intervention, to increase participation of PLWHA

Participation from organizations increased from an average of 0.5 organizations at baseline to 2.3 at follow-up; increase in self-esteem, self-confidence, and knowledge were seen in the organizations

Roy & Cain

To examine the barriers and obstacles to meaningful involvement of PLWHA

Stereotyping of PLWHA, fear of losing anonymity, usefulness of PLWHA, power imbalances, health concerns are among the barriers that limit the involvement of PLWHA in the development of policies and delivery of services

Travers et al.

To examine barriers and facilitating factors to the greater involvement of PLWHA in community-based research

Challenges to involving PLWHA include HIV-related stigma, health-related challenges, mistrust, and credibility of PLWHA; facilitating factors include training opportunities, financial compensation, building trust

Success in programs and interventions involving PWUD

Booth et al.

To investigate changes in needle- related risks among IDU following peer leader interventions

Peer leaders significantly reduced needle risk behaviors at 6 months follow-up compared to baseline; findings suggest that peer leader intervention approach may be effective in reducing HIV risk behaviors among IDU in Ukraine

Broadhead et al.

To compare the TOI with a PDI in the context of HIV prevention efforts

Both interventions significantly reduced HIV risk behaviors; PDI reached a larger and more ethnically/geographically diverse population of IDU at a lower expense than TOI

Canadian Public Health Association

To lay out the ideal response to HIV/AIDS in Canada

Encourages sharing of responsibilities and increasing partnerships to make more effective use of our knowledge, skills and resources

Crofts & Herkt

To review the literature on the histories and impact of user groups in Australia

The role of user groups in Australia is important to the government for preventing further transmission of HIV among IDU and engagement with the groups should continue

Garfein et al.

To investigate whether a peer-education intervention can reduce injection and sexual risk behaviors associated with HIV and Hepatitis C in young IDU

The peer intervention reduced injection risk behaviors among young IDU by 29% overall at 6 months postintervention compared to control and 76% reduction compared to baseline; Sexual risk behaviors were also decreased postintervention

Hayashi et al.

To evaluate a peer-run outreach-based syringe exchange program by VANDU called the Alley Patrol

The Alley Patrol was successful in reaching a higher risk group of IDU and was significantly associated with lower levels of needle reuse (AOR=0.65)

Latkin et al.

To investigate whether a network-oriented peer outreach intervention is associated with HIV prevention among drug users

In the experimental group, participants were 3 times more likely to report reduction in injection risk behavior and 4 times more likely to report increased condom use than controls; peer outreach strategies may be useful in reducing HIV risk behaviors in drug using communities

Purcell et al.

To investigate the efficacy of a peerHIV prevention program with PWUD through a project called the Risk Avoidance Partnership* project

Participants reported significant reductions of injection and sexual risk behaviors compared to baseline but there were no significant changes in medical outcomes

Weeks et al.

To investigate outcomes of a peer HIV prevention program with PWUD through a project called "The Risk Avoidance Partnership" project

Results show a significant HIV risk reduction among all study participants at 6 months follow-up compared to baseline

A call for increasing the engagement of PWUD in policy making decisions

Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network

To explain why PWUD need to be involved in the response to blood borne diseases and drug use

Recommendations to increase meaningful involvement of PWUD were highlighted

Charlois

To address issues of substance use and trafficking at frontline levels

Recommendations to increase involvement of drug users' participation through expertise and practice sharing

Kerr et al.

To document the activities and structure of VANDU using a community-based case methodology

VANDU is highly involved in advocacy, activism, and public education of PWUD and provide support and care for their peers

Osborn & Small

To understand the role of PWUD in influencing drug policies in Vancouver, BC

Organizations such as VANDU have enormous impact on municipal drug policy through activism

UNAIDS

To highlight challenges, actions, and the importance of the greater involvement of PLWHA

Recommendations to achieving greater involvement of PLWHA through government actions and actions from organizations of PLWHA; challenges include weak management, low skill levels, lack of funding