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Zhu L, Thompson WW, Hagan L, Randall LM, Rudolph AE, Young AM, Havens JR, Salomon JA, Linas BP. Potential impact of curative and preventive interventions toward hepatitis C elimination in people who inject drugs-A network modeling study. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2024; 130:104539. [PMID: 39033645 PMCID: PMC11347083 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injection-equipment-sharing networks play an important role in hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID). Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for HCV infection and interventions to prevent HCV transmission are critical components of an overall hepatitis C elimination strategy, but how they contribute to the elimination outcomes in different PWID network settings are unclear. METHODS We developed an agent-based network model of HCV transmission through the sharing of injection equipment among PWID and parameterized and calibrated the model with rural PWID data in the United States. We modeled curative and preventive interventions at annual coverage levels of 12.5 %, 25 %, or 37.5 % (cumulative percentage of eligible individuals engaged), and two allocation approaches: random vs targeting PWID with more injection partners (hereafter 'degree-based'). We compared the impact of these intervention strategies on prevalence and incidence of HCV infections. We conducted sensitivity analysis on key parameters governing the effects of curative and preventive interventions and PWID network characteristics. RESULTS Combining curative and preventive interventions at 37.5 % annual coverage with degree-based allocation decreased prevalence and incidence of HCV infection by 67 % and 70 % over two years, respectively. Curative interventions decreased prevalence by six to 12 times more than preventive interventions, while curative and preventive interventions had comparable effectiveness on reducing incidence. Intervention impact increased with coverage almost linearly across all intervention strategies, and degree-based allocation was always more effective than random allocation, especially for preventive interventions. Results were sensitive to parameter values defining intervention effects and network mean degree. CONCLUSION DAA treatments are effective in reducing both prevalence and incidence of HCV infection in PWID, but preventive interventions play a significant role in reducing incidence when intervention coverage is low. Increasing coverage, including efforts in reaching individuals with the most injection partners, preventing reinfection, and improving compliance and retention in preventive services can substantially improve the outcomes. PWID network characteristics should be considered when designing hepatitis C elimination programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Health Policy, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
| | - William W Thompson
- Prevention Branch, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GA, USA
| | - Liesl Hagan
- Prevention Branch, Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, GA, USA
| | - Liisa M Randall
- Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abby E Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University College of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - April M Young
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Jennifer R Havens
- Center on Drug and Alcohol Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Joshua A Salomon
- Department of Health Policy, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin P Linas
- Section of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Broady TR, Brener L, Caruana T, Cama E, Treloar C. Factors associated with sharing equipment among people who inject drugs: The role of community attachment in harm reduction and health promotion. Drug Alcohol Rev 2023; 42:561-568. [PMID: 36729689 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sharing injecting equipment is a major route of transmission for blood borne viruses such as hepatitis C and HIV. Although needle and syringe programs are widely available throughout metropolitan Australia, rates of sharing equipment have not significantly changed in recent years. This study aimed to identify factors associated with recent equipment sharing among people who inject drugs in Australia. METHODS A paper-based survey was distributed via peer-based organisations between June and November 2018 and was completed by 603 participants. Survey questions addressed recent injecting experiences, equipment sharing, community attachment, stigma and wellbeing. Participants who had recently shared injecting equipment were compared with those who had not shared any equipment using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Recent equipment sharing was associated with recent heroin use, experiencing any past-year stigma related to injecting drug use, and higher levels of attachment to a community of people who inject drugs. An interaction effect showed increased community attachment was associated with increased odds of sharing equipment among young participants, but with decreased odds of sharing equipment among older participants. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Community networks of people who inject drugs can play important roles in harm reduction initiatives. While being connected with a community of people who inject drugs increased the odds of sharing injecting equipment, this community connection also increases opportunities for social support, sharing information and mitigating the negative effects of stigma. Collaboratively and meaningfully engaging with communities of people who inject drugs has the potential to increase the reach and effectiveness of health promotion services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy R Broady
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Theresa Caruana
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Jones AA, Park JN, Allen ST, Schneider KE, Weir BW, Hunt D, Sherman SG. Racial differences in overdose training, naloxone possession, and naloxone administration among clients and nonclients of a syringe services program. J Subst Abuse Treat 2021; 129:108412. [PMID: 34080560 PMCID: PMC8565096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate racial (Black/White) differences in overdose response training and take-home naloxone (THN) possession and administration among clients and nonclients of the Baltimore syringe service program (SSP). METHODS The study derived data from a cross-sectional survey of 263 (183 SSP clients, 80 nonclients) people who inject drugs (PWID). The study recruited SSP clients using targeted sampling and recruited nonclients through peer referral from April to November 2016. RESULTS In our sample, 61% of the participants were Black, 42% were between the ages of 18 and 44, and 70% were males. SSP clients, regardless of race, were more likely to have received overdose response training than Black nonclients (Black clients AOR: 3.85, 95% CI: 1.88, 7.92; White clients AOR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.29, 5.75). The study found no significant differences in overdose response training between Black and White nonclients. SSP clients and White nonclients were more likely to possess THN than Black nonclients (Black clients: AOR: 4.21, 95% CI: 2.00, 8.87; White clients: AOR: 3.54, 95% CI: 1.56, 8.04; White nonclients AOR: 4.49, 95% CI: 1.50,13.47). CONCLUSION SSP clients were more likely to receive overdose response training than their nonclient peers who they referred to the study, illustrating the utility of SSPs in reaching PWID at high risk of overdose. We also observed that Black PWID, who did not access services at the SSP, were the least likely to possess THN, suggesting the need to employ outreach targeting Black PWID who do not access this central harm reduction intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Jones
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 105 Health and Human Development Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
| | - J N Park
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - S T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - K E Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - B W Weir
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - D Hunt
- Baltimore City Health Department, 100 N. Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
| | - S G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Allen ST, Mazhnaya A, O'Rourke A, White RH, Wedlock P, Grieb SM, Kilkenny ME, Walls M, Sherman SG. Factors Associated with Sterile Syringe Acquisition among People Who Inject Drugs in West Virginia. Subst Use Misuse 2021; 56:1776-1784. [PMID: 34311667 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1954023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syringe services programs (SSPs) are evidence-based interventions that provide essential overdose and infectious disease prevention resources to people who inject drugs (PWID). Little research has examined factors associated with sterile syringe acquisition at SSPs among rural PWID populations. OBJECTIVES We aim to identify factors associated with PWID in a rural county in West Virginia having recently acquired sterile syringes at an SSP. METHODS PWID (n = 420) completed a survey that included measures related to sociodemographics, structural vulnerabilities, and substance use. We used multivariable Poisson regression with robust variance estimation to examine independent associations with sterile syringe acquisition at an SSP. RESULTS Sixty-five percent of our sample reported having recently acquired sterile syringes at an SSP. Factors associated with recent sterile syringes acquisition at an SSP included: being older (aPR [adjusted prevalence ratio]: 1.011, 95% CI: 1.003-1.019), single (aPR: 0.862, 95% CI: 0.755-0.984), experiencing food insecurity (aPR: 1.233, 95% CI: 1.062-1.431), recently injecting fentanyl (aPR: 1.178, 95% CI: 1.010-1.375) and prescription opioid pain relievers (aPR: 0.681, 95% CI: 0.551-0.842), and recent naloxone acquisition (aPR: 1.360; 95% CI: 1.178-1.569). Receptive syringe sharing was inversely associated with acquiring sterile syringes at an SSP (aPR: 0.852; 95% CI: 0.741-0.979). CONCLUSION PWID accessing sterile syringes at an SSP was associated with several sociodemographic, structural, and substance use factors. Ensuring rural SSP operations are tailored to local PWID population-level needs is paramount to the prevention of infectious disease outbreaks and overdose fatalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alyona Mazhnaya
- Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Allison O'Rourke
- DC Center for AIDS Research, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Rebecca Hamilton White
- Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrick Wedlock
- Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Suzanne M Grieb
- Center for Child and Community Health Research, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Melissa Walls
- Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Karlsson N, Kåberg M, Berglund T, Hammarberg A, Widman L, Ekström AM. A prospective cohort study of risk behaviours, retention and loss to follow-up over 5 years among women and men in a needle exchange program in Stockholm, Sweden. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2020; 90:103059. [PMID: 33360734 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Needle exchange programs (NEP) are important in reducing risk behaviours among people who inject drugs (PWID), also exposed to HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) through injecting drug use (IDU). Women (WWID) compared to men who inject drugs (MWID), are particularly vulnerable with complex needs, however less is known about their risk determinants and NEP outcomes. METHODS In an open prospective NEP cohort, 697 WWID and 2122 MWID were followed, 2013-2018. Self-reported socio/drug-related determinants for receptive injection (needle/syringe and paraphernalia) and sexual risk behaviours at enrolment, lost to follow-up (LTFU) and probability of retention, were assessed for both groups. Multivariable logistic regression (adjusted odds ratios, aOR) for enrolment and Poisson regression (adjusted incidence rate ratios, aIRR) for LTFU, were used. Cumulative NEP-retention probability was analysed using a six- and 12-month scenario. RESULTS At NEP enrolment, injection risk behaviours among WWID were associated with: younger age; homelessness; amphetamine-IDU; non-participation in opioid substitution therapy (OST); history of custody and among MWID: lower education level; cohabitation; homelessness, being a tenant; amphetamine-IDU; non-participation in OST; history of being sectioned, HIV-negative and HCV-positive. Condomless sex among WWID was associated with: younger age; lower education-level; cohabitation; having a partner; amphetamine-IDU; non-participation in OST; being HIV-negative and HCV-positive and among MWID: younger age; married; cohabitation; having a partner; amphetamine-IDU; non-participation in OST; history of custody, prison and being HIV-negative. WWID had higher NEP-retention levels compared to MWID over time. Being LTFU among WWID was associated with being HIV-negative and reporting injection risk behaviours and among MWID, younger age, non-participation in OST, being HIV-negative and having protected sex. CONCLUSIONS Despite better NEP compliance among WWID, high injection and sexual risk behaviours in both gender-subgroups, especially in intimate relationships, suggests ongoing HCV and HIV-infection risks. Subgroup-variation in the NEP continuum of care warrants more gender-disaggregated research and tailoring gender-sensitive services may improve prevention, health and retention outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Karlsson
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Public Health Analysis and Development, Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), Solna, Sweden.
| | - Martin Kåberg
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Division of Infection and Dermatology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Needle Exchange, Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Torsten Berglund
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Public Health Analysis and Development, Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), Solna, Sweden
| | - Anders Hammarberg
- Stockholm Needle Exchange, Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders, Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Sweden
| | - Linnea Widman
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Mia Ekström
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Karlsson N, Berglund T, Ekström AM, Hammarberg A, Tammi T. Could 30 years of political controversy on needle exchange programmes in Sweden contribute to scaling-up harm reduction services in the world? NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2020; 38:66-88. [PMID: 35309093 PMCID: PMC8899060 DOI: 10.1177/1455072520965013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims: To end the hepatitis and AIDS epidemics in the world by 2030, countries are encouraged to scale-up harm reduction services and target people who inject drugs (PWID). Blood-borne viruses (BBV) among PWID spread via unsterile injection equipment sharing and to combat this, many countries have introduced needle and syringe exchange programmes (NEP), though not without controversy. Sweden’s long, complicated harm reduction policy transition has been deviant compared to the Nordic countries. After launch in 1986, no NEP were started in Sweden for 23 years, the reasons for which are analysed in this study. Methods: Policy documents, grey literature and research mainly published in 2000–2017 were collected and analysed using a hierarchical framework, to understand how continuous build-up of evidence, decisions and key events, over time influenced NEP development. Results: Sweden’s first NEP opened in a repressive-control drug policy era with a drug-free society goal. Despite high prevalence of BBV among PWID with recurring outbreaks, growing research and key-actor support including a NEP law, no NEP were launched. Political disagreements, fluctuating actor-coalitions, questioning of research, and a municipality veto against NEP, played critical roles. With an individual-centred perspective being brought into the drug policy domain, the manifestation of a dual drug and health policy track, a revised NEP law in 2017 and removal of the veto, Sweden would see fast expansion of new NEP. Conclusions: Lessons from the Swedish case could provide valuable insight for countries about to scale-up harm reduction services including how to circumvent costly time- and resource-intensive obstacles and processes involving ideological and individual moral dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Karlsson
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and Department of Public Health Analysis and Development, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Torsten Berglund
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and Department of Public Health Analysis and Development, Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
| | - Anna Mia Ekström
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and Department of Medicine Huddinge, Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Hammarberg
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; and Stockholm Centre for Dependency Disorders, Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm County Council, Sweden
| | - Tuukka Tammi
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland
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7
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Noroozi M, Higgs P, Noroozi A, Armoon B, Mousavi B, Alikhani R, Bazrafshan MR, Astaneh AN, Bayani A, Moghaddam LF. Methamphetamine use and HIV risk behavior among men who inject drugs: causal inference using coarsened exact matching. Harm Reduct J 2020; 17:66. [PMID: 32957982 PMCID: PMC7507738 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00411-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the association between methamphetamine (MA) use and HIV risk behavior among people who inject drugs (PWID) will assist policy-makers and program managers to sharpen the focus of HIV prevention interventions. This study examines the relationship between MA use and HIV risk behavior among men who inject drugs (MWID) in Tehran, Iran, using coarsened exact matching (CEM). METHODS Data for these analyses were derived from a cross-sectional study conducted between June and July 2016. We assessed three outcomes of interest-all treated as binary variables, including distributive and receptive needle and syringe (NS) sharing and condomless sex during the month before interview. Our primary exposure of interest was whether study participants reported any MA use in the month prior to the interview. Firstly, we report the descriptive statistics for the pooled samples and matched sub-samples using CEM. The pooled and matched estimates of the associations and their 95% CI were estimated using a logistic regression model. RESULTS Overall, 500 MWID aged between 18 and 63 years (mean = 28.44, SD = 7.22) were recruited. Imbalances in the measured demographic characteristics and risk behaviors between MA users and non-users were attenuated using matching. In the matched samples, the regression models showed participants who reported MA use were 1.82 times more likely to report condomless sex (OR = 1.82 95% CI 1.51, 4.10; P = 0.031), and 1.35 times more likely to report distributive NS sharing in the past 30 days, as compared to MA non-users (OR = 1.35 95% CI 1.15-1.81). Finally, there was a statistically significant relationship between MA use and receptive NS sharing in the past month. People who use MA in the last month had higher odds of receptive NS sharing when compared to MA non-users (OR = 4.2 95% CI 2.7, 7.5; P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS Our results show a significant relationship between MA use and HIV risk behavior among MWID in Tehran, Iran. MA use was related with increased NS sharing, which is associated with higher risk for HIV exposure and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Noroozi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Peter Higgs
- Department of Public Health, School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alireza Noroozi
- Department of Neuroscience and Addiction, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahram Armoon
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, Iran.
| | - Bentolhoda Mousavi
- Psychosis Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rosa Alikhani
- Psychosis Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rafi Bazrafshan
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
| | - Ali Nazeri Astaneh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azadeh Bayani
- Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ladan Fattah Moghaddam
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Surratt HL, Otachi JK, Williams T, Gulley J, Lockard AS, Rains R. Motivation to Change and Treatment Participation Among Syringe Service Program Utilizers in Rural Kentucky. J Rural Health 2019; 36:224-233. [PMID: 31415716 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Kentucky experiences a disproportionate burden of substance use disorder (SUD), particularly in rural areas of the state. Multiple factors increase vulnerability to SUD and limit access to services in rural communities. However, the recent implementation and expansion of syringe service programs (SSPs) in rural Kentucky may provide a leverage point to reach at-risk people who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS Data were collected as part of an ongoing NIDA-funded study designed to examine uptake of SSPs among PWID in Appalachian Kentucky. Using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS), the study enrolled a sample of 186 PWID SSP attenders across 3 rural Appalachian Kentucky counties and conducted face-to-face interviews regarding health behaviors, injecting practices, SSP utilization, and treatment services. Using logistic regression analyses, we examined consistent SSP use, as well as importance and confidence to reduce substance use as predictors of current treatment participation. FINDINGS For the prior 6 months, 44.6% of the sample reported consistent SSP use. Consistent use of SSPs was associated with treatment participation in the unadjusted logistic regression models. Significant predictors of treatment participation in the adjusted model included high confidence to reduce substance use, and not reporting primary methamphetamine injection. CONCLUSIONS Rurally located SSPs may play an important role in supporting confidence and motivation to change substance use behaviors among PWID impacted by SUD. SSPs may be critical venues for integration and expansion of prevention, health promotion, and treatment linkage services for this underserved population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary L Surratt
- Center for Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Janet K Otachi
- Center for Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | - Timothy Williams
- Center for Health Services Research, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
| | | | | | - Rebecca Rains
- Knox County Health Department, Barbourville, Kentucky
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Gicquelais RE, Genberg BL, Astemborski J, Celentano DD, Kirk GD, Mehta SH. Association of Injection Practices and Overdose With Drug Use Typologies: A Latent Class Analysis Among People Who Inject Drugs in Baltimore, 2017. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2019; 31:344-362. [PMID: 31361518 PMCID: PMC6765400 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2019.31.4.344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Increasing overdose mortality and new HIV outbreaks in the U.S. highlight the need to identify risk behavior profiles among people who inject drugs (PWID). We characterized latent classes of drug use among a community-based sample of 671 PWID in Baltimore during 2017 and evaluated associations of these classes with sharing syringes, obtaining syringes from pharmacies or syringe services programs (SSPs), and nonfatal overdose in the past 6 months. We identified three classes of current drug use: infrequent use (76% of participants), prescription drug use (12%), and heroin and/or cocaine injection (12%). PWID in the heroin and/or cocaine injection and prescription drug use classes had higher odds of both overdose and sharing syringes (relative to infrequent use). PWID in the prescription drug use class were 64% less likely to obtain syringes through SSPs/pharmacies relative to heroin and/or cocaine injection. Harm reduction programs need to engage people who obtain prescription drugs illicitly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Gicquelais
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Becky L. Genberg
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jacquie Astemborski
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David D. Celentano
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gregory D. Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Stigma and drug use settings as correlates of self-reported, non-fatal overdose among people who use drugs in Baltimore, Maryland. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 68:86-92. [PMID: 31026734 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatalities from opioid overdose quadrupled during the last 15 years as illicit opioid use increased. This study assesses how stigma and drug use settings are associated with non-fatal overdose to identify targets for overdose risk reduction interventions and inform overdose education and naloxone distribution programs. METHODS We surveyed 444 people who used drugs in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, from 2009 to 2013 as part of a randomized clinical trial of a harm reduction intervention. Participants reported demographic characteristics, drug use, overdose history, use of a local syringe services program, involvement in the local drug economy, and whether they experienced discrimination from others (i.e., enacted stigma) or stigmatized themselves (i.e., internalized stigma) related to their drug use. We used multinomial logistic regression models to identify correlates of experiencing a non-fatal overdose within the past year or >1 year ago relative to participants who never experienced an overdose. RESULTS Stigma was positively associated with experiencing a non-fatal overdose in the past year (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 1.7, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.1-2.7) and >1 year ago (aOR [95% CI]: 1.5 [1.1-2.0]) after adjustment for demographic and substance use characteristics. The association of stigma with overdose was stronger for enacted versus internalized stigma. The number of public settings (shooting gallery, crack house, abandoned building, public bathroom, outside) where participants used drugs was also positively associated with experiencing an overdose. CONCLUSIONS Stigma related to drug use and using drugs in more settings may increase overdose risk. The effectiveness of overdose prevention and naloxone training may be improved by reducing discrimination against people who use drugs in community and medical settings and diversifying the settings in which overdose prevention trainings are delivered. These efforts may be enhanced by use of peer outreach approaches in which people who use drugs diffuse prevention messages through their social networks and within settings of drug consumption outside the medical setting.
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Auriacombe M, Roux P, Briand Madrid L, Kirchherr S, Kervran C, Chauvin C, Gutowski M, Denis C, Carrieri MP, Lalanne L, Jauffret-Roustide M. Impact of drug consumption rooms on risk practices and access to care in people who inject drugs in France: the COSINUS prospective cohort study protocol. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e023683. [PMID: 30796121 PMCID: PMC6398695 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The high prevalence of hepatitis C and the persistence of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) risk practices in people who inject drugs (PWID) in France underlines the need for innovative prevention interventions. The main objective of this article is to describe the design of the COSINUS cohort study and outline the issues it will explore to evaluate the impact of drug consumption rooms (DCR) on PWID outcomes. Secondary objectives are to assess how DCR (a) influence other drug-related practices, such as the transition from intravenous to less risky modes of use, (b) reduce drug use frequency/quantity, (c) increase access to treatment for addiction and comorbidities (infectious, psychiatric and other), (d) improve social conditions and (e) reduce levels of violence experienced and drug-related offences. COSINUS will also give us the opportunity to investigate the impact of other harm reduction tools in France and their combined effect with DCR on reducing HIV-HCV risk practices. Furthermore, we will be better able to identify PWID needs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Enrollment in this prospective multi-site cohort study started in June 2016. Overall, 680 PWID in four different cities (Bordeaux, Marseilles, Paris and Strasbourg) will be enrolled and followed up for 12 months through face-to-face structured interviews administered by trained staff to all eligible participants at baseline (M0), 3 month (M3), 6 month (M6) and 12 month (M12) follow-up visits. These interviews gather data on socio-demographic characteristics, past and current drug and alcohol consumption, drug-use related practices, access to care and social services, experience of violence (as victims), offences, other psychosocial issues and perception and needs about harm reduction interventions and services. Longitudinal data analysis will use a mixed logistic model to assess the impact of individual and structural factors, including DCR attendance and exposure to other harm reduction services, on the main outcome (HIV-HCV risk practices). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was reviewed and approved by the institutional review board of the French Institute of Medical Research and Health (opinion number: 14-166). The findings of this cohort study will help to assess the impact of DCR on HIV-HCV risk practices and other psycho-social outcomes and trajectories. Moreover, they will enable health authorities to shape health and harm reduction policies according to PWID needs. Finally, they will also help to improve current harm reduction and therapeutic interventions and to create novel ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Auriacombe
- University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France
- Addiction Team, SANPSY, CNRS USR 3413, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Center for Studies of Addiction, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Pôle Addictologie, CH Charles Perrens and CHU de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Perrine Roux
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Laélia Briand Madrid
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Sébastien Kirchherr
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, INSERM 1114, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Charlotte Kervran
- University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France
- Addiction Team, SANPSY, CNRS USR 3413, Bordeaux, France
| | - Carole Chauvin
- CERMES3 (INSERM U988/UMR CNRS 8211/EHESS/Paris Descartes University), Paris, France
| | - Marie Gutowski
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Cécile Denis
- Addiction Team, SANPSY, CNRS USR 3413, Bordeaux, France
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Center for Studies of Addiction, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Maria Patrizia Carrieri
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Laurence Lalanne
- INSERM U1114, Strasbourg, Alsace, France
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Hopitaux universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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O’Keefe D, Wilkinson A, Aitken C, Dietze P. Geo-spatial analysis of individual-level needle and syringe coverage in Melbourne, Australia. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209280. [PMID: 30550588 PMCID: PMC6294429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Distance to health services is known to be negatively associated with usage and needle and syringe programs (NSPs) for people who inject drugs (PWID) are no different. Australia has a mixture of NSP modalities (primary or secondary fixed-site NSPs), which may present unique barriers to access. In this study, we explore 1) the effect of distance to NSPs on individual-level needle and syringe coverage, and 2) differences in coverage dependent on NSP modality. Using data from 219 PWID in an ongoing cohort study in Melbourne, Australia, we measured the straight-line distance from participants’ residence to their nearest primary or secondary fixed-site NSP. We analysed the relationship between geographical distance and coverage via regression analysis. The median distance to any type of NSP was 1872 metres. Regardless of service type, 52% of participants lived within 2 kms of a fixed-site NSP and 87% lived within 5 kms. We found no association between distance to NSPs and syringe coverage or a significant difference in coverage by nearest service type. Our findings suggest that the number and distribution of NSPs in Melbourne, Australia caters adequately for the population of PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel O’Keefe
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Anna Wilkinson
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Campbell Aitken
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Dietze
- Behaviours and Health Risks, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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DeCuir J, Lovasi GS, El-Sayed A, Lewis CF. The association between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and high-risk injection behavior among people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 183:184-191. [PMID: 29288913 PMCID: PMC5927611 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although much research has been conducted on the determinants of HIV risk behavior among people who inject drugs (PWID), the influence of the neighborhood context on high-risk injection behavior remains understudied. To address this gap in the literature, we measured associations between neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and high-risk injection behavior, and determined whether these associations were modified by drug-related police activity and syringe exchange program (SEP) accessibility. METHODS Our sample was comprised of 484 pharmacy-recruited PWID in New York City. Measures of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage were created using data from the 2006-2010 American Community Survey. Associations with high-risk injection behavior were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression. Effect modification by drug-related police activity and SEP accessibility was assessed by entering cross-product terms into adjusted models of high-risk injection behavior. RESULTS Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with decreased receptive syringe sharing and unsterile syringe use. In neighborhoods with high drug-related police activity, associations between neighborhood disadvantage and unsterile syringe use were attenuated to the null. In neighborhoods with high SEP accessibility, neighborhood disadvantage was associated with decreased acquisition of syringes from an unsafe source. CONCLUSIONS PWID in disadvantaged neighborhoods reported safer injection behaviors than their counterparts in neighborhoods that were relatively better off. The contrasting patterns of effect modification by SEP accessibility and drug-related police activity support the use of harm reduction approaches over law enforcement-based strategies for the control of blood borne virus transmission among PWID in disadvantaged urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer DeCuir
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 722 W 168th St, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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14
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Calvo M, MacFarlane J, Zaccaro H, Curtis M, Cabán M, Favaro J, Passannante MR, Frost T. Young people who use drugs engaged in harm reduction programs in New York City: Overdose and other risks. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017. [PMID: 28645060 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the engagement of young people who use drugs (PWUD) in harm reduction programs (HRPs), and few studies have included non-opioid users and non-injectors. While HRPs have effectively engaged PWUD, young people are under-represented in their services. METHODS The Injection Drug Users Health Alliance Citywide Study (IDUCS) is the largest community-based study of PWUD in HRPs in the US. From 2014-2015, 2421 HRP participants across New York City (NYC) completed a cross-sectional survey. We investigated differences in socio-demographics, service utilization, and risk behaviors between young (aged 18-30) and older participants and examined factors associated with overdose among young participants. RESULTS The study included 257 young participants. They were significantly more likely than older participants to be white, educated, uninsured, unstably housed or homeless, and have a history of incarceration and residential drug treatment. They were more likely to report recent overdose but less likely to report knowledge of naloxone. Young participants also had higher rates of alcohol, marijuana, benzodiazepine, and injection drug use, and related risk behaviors such as public injection. Factors associated with past year overdose among young participants included experiencing symptoms of psychological distress (AOR=9.71), being unstably housed or homeless (AOR=4.39), and utilizing detox (AOR=4.20). CONCLUSIONS Young PWUD who access services at HRPs in NYC differ significantly from their older counterparts. New York City and other urban centers that attract young PWUD should consider implementing harm reduction oriented services tailored to the unique needs of young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Calvo
- Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (IDUHA), New York, NY 10001, United States; Rutgers University School of Public Health, Newark, NJ 07101, United States.
| | - Jessica MacFarlane
- Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (IDUHA), New York, NY 10001, United States; Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Heather Zaccaro
- Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (IDUHA), New York, NY 10001, United States
| | - Matthew Curtis
- Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (IDUHA), New York, NY 10001, United States; Voices of Community Activists and Leaders of New York (VOCAL-NY), Brooklyn, NY 11217, United States
| | - María Cabán
- Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (IDUHA), New York, NY 10001, United States; BOOM!Health, Bronx, NY 10451, United States
| | - Jamie Favaro
- Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (IDUHA), New York, NY 10001, United States; Harm Reduction Coalition, New York, NY 10001, United States
| | | | - Taeko Frost
- Injection Drug Users Health Alliance (IDUHA), New York, NY 10001, United States; Washington Heights CORNER Project, New York, NY 10033, United States; Harm Reduction Coalition, New York, NY 10001, United States
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15
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Syringe Sharing Among a Prospective Cohort of Street-Involved Youth: Implications for Needle Distribution Programs. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:2717-2725. [PMID: 28409267 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1762-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The sharing of previously used syringes is associated with the transmission of Hepatitis C and HIV. This longitudinal study examines syringe borrowing and syringe lending within a prospective cohort of street-involved youth in Vancouver, Canada. From September 2005 to May 2014, data were collected from the At-Risk Youth Study, a cohort of street-involved youth age 14-26 at enrollment, and analyzed using generalized estimating equations. Among 505 participants, 142 (28.1%) reported syringe borrowing and 132 (26.1%) reported syringe lending during the study period. In separate multivariable analyses, having difficulty finding clean needles and homelessness were significantly associated with syringe borrowing (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.28, 95% CI 1.66-3.12 and AOR = 1.52, CI 1.05-2.21, respectively) and syringe lending (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.32-2.71 and AOR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.11-2.44, respectively) (all p values < 0.05). Findings highlight gaps in syringe access for vulnerable young injectors and suggest that service delivery for youth may be suboptimal. Further examination of how needle distribution efforts might be improved to better meet the needs of young people is warranted.
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Chandrasekaran S, Kyaw NTT, Harries AD, Yee IA, Ellan P, Kurusamy T, Yusoff N, Mburu G, Mohammad WMZW, Suleiman A. Enrolment and retention of people who inject drugs in the Needle & Syringe Exchange Programme in Malaysia. Public Health Action 2017; 7:155-160. [PMID: 28695090 DOI: 10.5588/pha.17.0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Setting: Needle and Syringe Exchange Programme (NSEP) implemented by non-governmental organisations in Malaysia. Objectives: To determine enrolment, characteristics and retention in the NSEP of people who inject drugs (PWID) between 2013 and 2015. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Results: There were 20 946 PWID, with a mean age of 38 years. The majority were male (98%) and of Malay ethnicity (92%). Follow-up data were available for 20 761 PWID. Annual retention of newly enrolled PWID for each year was respectively 85%, 87% and 78% for 2013, 2014 and 2015, although annual enrolment over these years declined from 10 724 to 6288 to 3749. Total person-years (py) of follow-up were 27 806, with loss to follow-up of 40 per 100 py. Cumulative probability of retention in NSEP was 66% at 12 months, 45% at 24 months and 26% at 36 months. Significantly higher loss to follow-up rates were observed in those aged 15-24 years or ⩾50 years, females, transgender people and non-Malay ethnic groups. Conclusion: Annual retention of new PWID on NSEP was impressive, although enrolment declined over the 3 years of the study and cumulative loss to follow-up was high. A better understanding of these programmatic outcomes is required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - N T T Kyaw
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Myanmar Country Office, Mandalay, Myanmar
| | - A D Harries
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - I A Yee
- Malaysian AIDS Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - P Ellan
- Malaysian AIDS Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - T Kurusamy
- Malaysian AIDS Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - N Yusoff
- Malaysian AIDS Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - G Mburu
- Department of Health Research, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - W M Z W Mohammad
- School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - A Suleiman
- Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia
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17
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High rates of abscesses and chronic wounds in community-recruited injection drug users and associated risk factors. J Addict Med 2015; 9:87-93. [PMID: 25469653 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000000093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Abscesses and chronic wounds are common among injection drug users (IDUs) though chronic wounds have been understudied. We assessed the risk factors associated with both acute and chronic wounds within a community-based population of IDUs frequenting the Baltimore City Needle Exchange Program (BNEP). METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of BNEP clients aged 18 years or more who completed an in-person survey regarding active or prior wounds including abscesses (duration <8 weeks) and chronic wounds (duration ≥8 weeks), injection practices, and skin care. Factors associated with wounds were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. RESULTS Of the 152 participants, 63.2% were men, 49.3% were white, 44.7% were African American, 34.9% had any type of current wound, 17.8% had an active abscess, and 19.7% had a current chronic wound. Abscesses were more common in women (odds ratio [OR], 2.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10-5.97) and those reporting skin-popping (OR, 5.38; 95% CI, 1.85-15.67). In a multivariate model, risk factors for an abscess included injecting with a family member/partner (adjusted OR [AOR], 4.06; 95% CI, 0.99-16.58). In a multivariable analysis of current chronic wounds, cleaning skin with alcohol before injection was protective (AOR, 0.061; 95% CI, 0.0064-0.58). CONCLUSIONS Abscesses and chronic wounds were prevalent among a sample of IDUs in Baltimore. Abscesses were associated with injection practices, and chronic wounds seemed linked to varying skin and tool cleaning practices. There is a pressing need for wound-related education and treatment efforts among IDUs who are at greatest risk for skin-related morbidity.
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Allen ST, Ruiz MS, Roess A, Jones J. Assessing seasonality of travel distance to harm reduction service providers among persons who inject drugs. Harm Reduct J 2015; 12:45. [PMID: 26458881 PMCID: PMC4603974 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-015-0081-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prior research has examined access to syringe exchange program (SEP) services among persons who inject drugs (PWID), but no research has been conducted to evaluate variations in SEP access based on season. This is an important gap in the literature given that seasonal weather patterns and inclement weather may affect SEP service utilization. The purpose of this research is to examine differences in access to SEPs by season among PWID in the District of Columbia (DC). Findings A geometric point distance estimation technique was applied to records from a DC SEP that operated from 1996 to 2011. We calculated the walking distance (via sidewalks) from the centroid point of zip code of home residence to the exchange site where PWID presented for services. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences in walking distance measures by season. Differences in mean walking distance measures were statistically significant between winter and spring with PWID traveling approximately 2.88 and 2.77 miles, respectively, to access the SEP during these seasons. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that seasonal differences in SEP accessibility may exist between winter and spring. PWID may benefit from harm reduction providers adapting their SEP operations to provide a greater diversity of exchange locations during seasons in which inclement weather may negatively influence engagement with SEPs. Increasing the number of exchange locations based on season may help resolve unmet needs among injectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T Allen
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
| | - Monica S Ruiz
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
| | - Amira Roess
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
| | - Jeff Jones
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health at Georgia Southern University, PO Box 8015, Statesboro, GA, 30460, USA.
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Sherman SG, Patel SA, Ramachandran DV, Galai N, Chaulk P, Serio-Chapman C, Gindi RM. Consequences of a restrictive syringe exchange policy on utilisation patterns of a syringe exchange program in Baltimore, Maryland: Implications for HIV risk. Drug Alcohol Rev 2015; 34:637-44. [PMID: 25919590 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Syringe distribution policies continue to be debated in many jurisdictions throughout the USA. The Baltimore Needle and Syringe Exchange Program (NSP) operated under a 1-for-1 syringe exchange policy from its inception in 1994 through 1999, when it implemented a restrictive policy (2000-2004) that dictated less than 1-for-1 exchange for non-program syringes. DESIGN AND METHODS Data were derived from the Baltimore NSP, which prospectively collected data on all client visits. We examined the impact of this restrictive policy on program-level output measures (i.e. distributed : returned syringe ratio, client volume) before, during and after the restrictive exchange policy. Through multiple logistic regression, we examined correlates of less than 1-for-1 exchange ratios at the client level before and during the restrictive exchange policy periods. RESULTS During the restrictive policy period, the average annual program-level ratio of total syringes distributed : returned dropped from 0.99 to 0.88, with a low point of 0.85 in 2000. There were substantial decreases in the average number of syringes distributed, syringes returned, the total number of clients and new clients enrolling during the restrictive compared to the preceding period. During the restrictive period, 33 508 more syringes were returned to the needle exchange than were distributed. In the presence of other variables, correlates of less than 1-for-1 exchange ratio were being white, female and less than 30 years old. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS With fewer clean syringes in circulation, restrictive policies could increase the risk of exposure to HIV among Injection Drug Users (IDUs) and the broader community. The study provides evidence to the potentially harmful effects of such policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan G Sherman
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Shivani A Patel
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Daesha V Ramachandran
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Noya Galai
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Statistics, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | | | - Renee M Gindi
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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Smith ME, Robinowitz N, Chaulk P, Johnson K. Comparison of chronic wound culture techniques: swab versus curetted tissue for microbial recovery. Br J Community Nurs 2015; Suppl:S22-6. [PMID: 25192558 DOI: 10.12968/bjcn.2014.19.sup9.s22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Health-care professionals are increasingly relying on wound cultures as part of their clinical assessment. Tissue viability nurses in the UK use wound swabbing as the standard specimen-taking technique, but others are used globally and there is no worldwide standard. This study compares two wound culture techniques in uninfected chronic wounds of active and former injection drug users seeking care through a civic needle exchange mobile wound clinic. For each wound, two sampling approaches were applied during the same visit: swab culture and curetted tissue culture. A total of 12 chronic wounds were assessed among 9 patients, including 19 swab cultures and 19 tissue cultures. These 38 cultures grew a total of 157 individually identified bacterial organisms, including 27 anaerobic organisms (17.2%), 63 Gram-positive species (40.1%), and 67 Gram-negative species (42.7%). The swab technique yielded a greater percentage recovery rate of anaerobic (55.6%), Gram-positive (52.4%), and all species (51.6%) compared to tissue culture (P>0.05). Recovery of common wound species, such as methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the same using either method (50.0%). Swab and curetted tissue cultures yielded similar recovery rates for common wound bacteria. Therefore, swabs (including a vacuum transport container) may offer an advantage in the recovery of anaerobes. Based upon this analysis, the swabbased culture method for chronic wounds currently used in the UK is reasonable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Elisa Smith
- Research Assistant, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
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21
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Smith ME, Robinowitz N, Chaulk P, Johnson KE. Self-care and risk reduction habits in older injection drug users with chronic wounds: a cross-sectional study. Harm Reduct J 2014; 11:28. [PMID: 25326686 PMCID: PMC4213493 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-11-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We surveyed a population of injection drug users (IDUs) frequenting the mobile Baltimore City Needle Exchange Program (BNEP) to investigate self-care factors associated with chronic wounds, a significant cause of morbidity especially among older IDUs. Methods Participants ≥18 years old completed a survey regarding chronic wounds (duration ≥8 weeks), injection and hygiene practices. Study staff visually verified the presence of wounds. Participants were categorized into four groups by age and wound status. Factors associated with the presence of chronic wounds in participants ≥45 years were analyzed using logistic regression. Results Of the 152 participants, 19.7% had a chronic wound. Of those with chronic wounds, 18 were ≥45 years old (60.0%). Individuals ≥45 years old with chronic wounds were more likely to be enrolled in a drug treatment program (Odds ratio (OR) 3.4, 95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.0–10.8) and less likely to use cigarette filters when drawing up prepared drug (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.03–0.7) compared to the same age group without chronic wounds. Compared to individuals <45 years old without chronic wounds, individuals ≥45 with a chronic wound were more likely to report cleaning reused needles with bleach (OR 10.7, 95% CI 1.2–93.9) and to use the clinic, rather than an emergency room, as a primary source of medical care (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1–10.4). Conclusions Older IDUs with chronic wounds have different, and perhaps less risky, injection and hygiene behaviors than their peers and younger IDUs without wounds in Baltimore City. Because of these differences, older IDUs with wounds may be more receptive to community-based healthcare and substance abuse treatment messages.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kristine E Johnson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 5200 Eastern Avenue, MFL Building, Center Tower, 3rd Floor, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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Darke S, Torok M. Attitudes of regular injecting drug users towards the legal status of the major illicit drugs. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013; 32:483-8. [PMID: 23647529 DOI: 10.1111/dar.12050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS The study aimed to determine injecting drug users' (IDU) attitudes, and correlates of attitudes, towards continued prohibition, decriminalisation or legalisation of the major illicit drugs. DESIGN AND METHODS This study used structured interview with 300 IDUs who had injected on at least a weekly basis over the preceding 12 months. RESULTS Methamphetamine was rated the most harmful of the five illicit substances and cannabis the lowest. By far the highest level of support for legislative change was for cannabis, with only 8.7% supporting continued prohibition. While there was majority support for change to the legal status of heroin, the modal position was for decriminalisation. Support for changing the status of the three illicit psychostimulants was low, with the majority believing that methamphetamine (63.3%), cocaine (53.3%) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (53.3%) should remain illegal. Demographic characteristics were largely unrelated to attitudes. Lower levels of perceived harm were associated with increased likelihood of support for legalisation of all substances. Recent use was positively related to support for both decriminalisation and legality of heroin, but was not associated with views on other substances. Higher lifetime polydrug use was associated with support for the legalisation of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS IDUs expressed nuanced views on different substances. In policy debates, care should be taken not to speak for IDUs by imputing their beliefs. It is clear that the fact that a group uses illegal drugs does not necessarily imply that they support changes to their legal status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Darke
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Marshall BDL, Shoveller JA, Wood E, Patterson TL, Kerr T. Difficulty accessing syringes mediates the relationship between methamphetamine use and syringe sharing among young injection drug users. AIDS Behav 2011; 15:1546-53. [PMID: 21197598 PMCID: PMC3180618 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9876-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Injection drug users (IDU) who use methamphetamine (MA) are at an increased risk of HIV infection due to engagement in injection-related risk behavior including syringe sharing. In this cohort study of young IDU aged 18-30, we investigated the relationship between injection MA use and syringe sharing, and whether difficulty accessing sterile syringes mediated this association. Behavioral questionnaires were completed by 384 IDU in Vancouver, Canada between October 2005 and May 2008. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate direct and indirect effects. The median age of participants was 24 (IQR: 22–27) and 214 (55.7%) were male. Injecting MA was independently associated with syringe sharing. Mediation analyses revealed that difficulty accessing sterile syringes partially mediated the association between injecting MA and syringe sharing. Interventions to reduce syringe sharing among young methamphetamine injectors must address social and structural barriers to accessing HIV prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon D. L. Marshall
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Jean A. Shoveller
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2206 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3 Canada
| | - Evan Wood
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
| | - Thomas L. Patterson
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0680 USA
| | - Thomas Kerr
- Urban Health Research Initiative, British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, St. Paul’s Hospital, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6 Canada
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Kidorf M, King VL, Peirce J, Burke C, Kolodner K, Brooner RK. Psychiatric distress, risk behavior, and treatment enrollment among syringe exchange participants. Addict Behav 2010; 35:499-503. [PMID: 20079972 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2009] [Revised: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study evaluated psychiatric distress as a predictor of treatment enrollment in out-of-treatment injection opioid users newly registered at the Baltimore Needle Exchange Program (BNEP). Study participants (n=281) completed the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), the Risk Assessment Battery (RAB), and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R), and were randomly assigned to one of three different conditions for 4 months that evaluated referral strategies designed to promote treatment interest and enrollment. The Global Severity Index (GSI) of the SCL-90 was used as a measure of psychiatric distress. A logistic regression showed that higher GSI scores predicted more treatment enrollment (Adjusted OR=2.15, CI=1.10-4.23, p<0.05), after controlling for study condition, demographic variables, syringe exchange site, and severity of drug use. The results suggest that the data from the assessment of psychiatric distress in syringe exchange settings can be used to support motivational strategies for encouraging syringe exchangers to seek substance abuse treatment.
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