1
|
Giuliano G, Benedetti S, Sambo M, Pierguidi F, Tumbarello M. Successful treatment of complicated infective endocarditis due to Enterococcus faecium in a patient with substance use disorder using oritavancin as sequential maintenance therapy. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:556-557. [PMID: 38253314 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2024.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Giuliano
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.
| | - Sara Benedetti
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Margherita Sambo
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Pierguidi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Mario Tumbarello
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Handanagic S, Broz D, Finlayson T, Kanny D, Wejnert C. Unmet need for medication for opioid use disorder among persons who inject drugs in 23 U.S. cities. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 257:111251. [PMID: 38457965 PMCID: PMC11031279 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persons who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and premature mortality due to drug overdose. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as methadone or buprenorphine, reduces injecting behaviors, HIV and HCV transmission, and mortality from opioid overdose. Using data from National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, we evaluated the unmet need for MOUD among PWID in 23 U.S. cities. METHODS PWID were recruited by respondent-driven sampling, interviewed, and tested for HIV. This analysis includes PWID who were ≥18 years old and reported injecting drugs and opioid use in the past 12 months. We used Poisson regression to examine factors associated with self-reported unmet need for MOUD and reported adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Of 10,879 PWID reporting using opioids, 68.8% were male, 48.2% were ≥45 years of age, 38.8% were non-Hispanic White, 49.6% experienced homelessness, and 28.0% reported an unmet need for MOUD in the past 12 months. PWID who were more likely to report unmet need for MOUD experienced homelessness (aPR 1.26; 95% CI: 1.19-1.34), were incarcerated in the past 12 months (aPR 1.15; 95% CI: 1.08-1.23), injected ≥once a day (aPR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.31-1.55), reported overdose (aPR 1.33; 95% CI: 1.24-1.42), and sharing of syringes (aPR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.06-1.23). CONCLUSIONS The expansion of MOUD provision for PWID is critical. Integrating syringe service programs and MOUD provision and linking PWID who experience overdose, incarceration or homelessness to treatment with MOUD could improve its utilization among PWID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Senad Handanagic
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, USA.
| | - Dita Broz
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, USA
| | - Teresa Finlayson
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, USA
| | - Dafna Kanny
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, USA
| | - Cyprian Wejnert
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chapin-Bardales J, Asher A, Broz D, Teshale E, Mixson-Hayden T, Poe A, Handanagic S, Blanco C, Wejnert C. Hepatitis C virus infection and co-infection with HIV among persons who inject drugs in 10 U.S. cities-National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 2018. Int J Drug Policy 2024:104387. [PMID: 38531730 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characterizing acute and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HIV/HCV co-infection among persons who inject drugs (PWID) can inform elimination efforts. METHODS During 2018 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance in 10 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), PWID were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and offered a survey, HIV testing, and HCV antibody and RNA testing. We examined prevalence and associated characteristics of HCV infection and HIV/HCV co-infection. Associations were assessed using log-linked Poisson regression models with robust standard errors accounting for clustering by recruitment chain and adjusting for MSA and network size. RESULTS Overall, 44.2% had current HCV infection (RNA detected), with 3.9% classified as acute infection (HCV antibody non-reactive/RNA detected) and 40.3% as chronic (HCV antibody reactive/RNA detected). Four percent had HIV/HCV co-infection. Current HCV infection was significantly higher among PWID who were male, White, injected >1 time/day, shared syringes in past year, and shared injection equipment in past year. PWID who were transgender, injecting >5 years, and most often injected speedball (heroin and cocaine together) or stimulants alone were more likely to have HIV/HCV co-infection. Among PWID who never previously had HCV infection, 9.9% had acute HCV infection. Among PWID who started injecting ≤5 years ago, 41.5% had already acquired HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS Acute and chronic HCV infections were substantial among a sample of PWID in 10 U.S. MSAs. Accessibility to HCV RNA testing, promoting safer practices, and intervening early with harm reduction programs for recent injection initiates will be critical to disease elimination efforts for PWID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Asher
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dita Broz
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Eyasu Teshale
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tonya Mixson-Hayden
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Amanda Poe
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Senad Handanagic
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Carlos Blanco
- Division of Epidemiology, Services, and Prevention Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cyprian Wejnert
- Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hershow RB, Love Pieczykolan L, Worthington N, Adams M, McDonald R, Wilson S, McBee S, Balleydier S, Curran KG. Were Needles Everywhere?: Differing Views on Syringe Waste and Disposal Associated With Needs-Based Syringe Services Programs Among Community Partners and Persons Who Inject Drugs. Subst Use Misuse 2024; 59:1174-1181. [PMID: 38509704 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2330895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community concerns surrounding syringe waste are a common barrier to syringe services program (SSP) implementation. In Kanawha County, West Virginia, community opposition to SSPs resulted in the closure of needs-based SSPs prior to and during an HIV outbreak among persons who inject drugs (PWID). This qualitative analysis examines views of PWID and community partners on syringe waste and disposal associated with needs-based SSPs. METHODS Qualitative interviews with 26 PWID and 45 community partners (medical and social service providers, law enforcement personnel, policymakers, and religious leaders) were conducted. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Code summaries described participants' views on syringe waste and disposal and needs-based SSPs. RESULTS Community partners and PWID who favored needs-based SSPs reported that needs-based SSPs had not affected or reduced syringe waste. Conversely, community partners who favored one-to-one exchange models and/or barcoded syringes described needs-based SSPs increasing syringe waste. Community partners often cited pervasive community beliefs that SSPs increased syringe waste, risk of needlesticks, drug use, and crime. Community partners were unsure how to address syringe waste concerns and emphasized that contradictory views on syringe waste posed barriers to discussing and implementing SSPs. CONCLUSIONS Participants' views on whether syringe waste was associated with needs-based SSPs often aligned with their support or opposition for needs-based SSPs. These differing views resulted in challenges finding common ground to discuss SSP operations amid an HIV outbreak among PWID. SSPs might consider addressing syringe waste concerns by expanding syringe disposal efforts and implementing community engagement and stigma reduction activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca B Hershow
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Lauren Love Pieczykolan
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Nancy Worthington
- Division of Overdose Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Monica Adams
- Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Robert McDonald
- Division of STD Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Suzanne Wilson
- West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Charleston, West Virginia, USA
| | - Shannon McBee
- West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Charleston, West Virginia, USA
| | - Shawn Balleydier
- West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Charleston, West Virginia, USA
| | - Kathryn G Curran
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
MacIsaac MB, Whitton B, Anderson J, Cogger S, Vella-Horne D, Penn M, Weeks A, Elmore K, Pemberton D, Winter RJ, Papaluca T, Howell J, Hellard M, Stoové M, Wilson D, Pedrana A, Doyle JS, Clark N, Holmes JA, Thompson AJ. Point-of-care HCV RNA testing improves hepatitis C testing rates and allows rapid treatment initiation among people who inject drugs attending a medically supervised injecting facility. Int J Drug Policy 2024; 125:104317. [PMID: 38281385 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To achieve hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination targets, simplified care engaging people who inject drugs is required. We evaluated whether fingerstick HCV RNA point-of-care testing (PoCT) increased the proportion of clients attending a supervised injecting facility who were tested for hepatitis C. METHODS Prospective single-arm study with recruitment between 9 November 2020 and 28 January 2021 and follow-up to 31 July 2021. Clients attending the supervised injecting facility were offered HCV RNA testing using the Xpert® HCV Viral Load Fingerstick (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) PoCT. Participants with a positive HCV RNA test were prescribed direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of clients who engaged in HCV RNA PoCT, compared to a historical comparator group when venepuncture-based hepatitis C testing was standard of care. RESULTS Among 1618 clients who attended the supervised injecting facility during the study period, 228 (14%) engaged in PoCT. This was significantly higher than that observed in the historical comparator group (61/1,775, 3%; p < 0.001). Sixty-five (28%) participants were HCV RNA positive, with 40/65 (62%) receiving their result on the same day as testing. Sixty-one (94%) HCV RNA positive participants were commenced on DAA therapy; 14/61 (23%) started treatment on the same day as diagnosis. There was no difference in the proportion of HCV RNA positive participants commenced on treatment with DAA therapy when compared to the historical comparator group (61/65, 94% vs 22/26, 85%; p = 0.153). However, the median time to treatment initiation was significantly shorter in the PoCT cohort (2 days (IQR 1-20) vs 41 days (IQR 22-76), p < 0.001). Among participants who commenced treatment and had complete follow-up data available, 27/36 (75%) achieved hepatitis C cure. CONCLUSIONS HCV RNA PoCT led to a significantly higher proportion of clients attending a supervised injecting facility engaging in hepatitis C testing, whilst also reducing the time to treatment initiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael B MacIsaac
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bradley Whitton
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jenine Anderson
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shelley Cogger
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dylan Vella-Horne
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew Penn
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony Weeks
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kasey Elmore
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Pemberton
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Winter
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Timothy Papaluca
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jessica Howell
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Stoové
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Wilson
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joseph S Doyle
- Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicolas Clark
- Medically Supervised Injecting Room, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, Victoria, Australia; Department of Addiction Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jacinta A Holmes
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lopes SS, Pericot-Valverde I, Lum PJ, Taylor LE, Mehta SH, Tsui JI, Feinberg J, Kim AY, Norton BL, Page K, Murray-Krezan C, Anderson J, Karasz A, Arnsten J, Moschella P, Heo M, Litwin AH. Overreporting of adherence to hepatitis C direct-acting antiviral therapy and sustained virologic response among people who inject drugs in the HERO study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:251. [PMID: 38395747 PMCID: PMC10893697 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09124-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-reported adherence to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) among persons who inject drugs (PWID) is often an overreport of objectively measured adherence. The association of such overreporting with sustained virologic response (SVR) is understudied. This study among PWID aimed to determine a threshold of overreporting adherence that optimally predicts lower SVR rates, and to explore correlates of the optimal overreporting threshold. METHODS This study analyzed per-protocol data of participants with adherence data (N = 493) from the HERO (Hepatitis C Real Options) study. Self-reported and objective adherence to a 12-week DAA regimen were measured using visual analogue scales and electronic blister packs, respectively. The difference (Δ) between self-reported and objectively measured adherence was calculated. We used the Youden index based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify an optimal threshold of overreporting for predicting lower SVR rates. Factors associated with the optimal threshold of overreporting were identified by comparing baseline characteristics between participants at/above versus those below the threshold. RESULTS The self-reported, objective, and Δ adherence averages were 95.1% (SD = 8.9), 75.9% (SD = 16.3), and 19.2% (SD = 15.2), respectively. The ≥ 25% overreporting threshold was determined to be optimal. The SVR rate was lower for ≥ 25% vs. < 25% overreporting (86.7% vs. 95.8%, p <.001). The factors associated with ≥ 25% Δ adherence were unemployment; higher number of days and times/day of injecting drugs; higher proportion of positive urine drug screening for amphetamine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone, and negative urine screening for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)/cannabis. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported DAA adherence was significantly greater than objectively measured adherence among PWID by 19.2%. Having ≥ 25% overreported adherence was associated with optimal prediction of lower SVR rates. PWID with risk factors for high overreporting may need to be more intensively managed to promote actual adherence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Snehal S Lopes
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Irene Pericot-Valverde
- Department of Psychology, College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences, Clemson University, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Paula J Lum
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Ave, 94110, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lynn E Taylor
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, University of Rhode Island, 7 Greenhouse Road, 02881, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E6546, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 325 9th Ave, 98104, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Judith Feinberg
- Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 930 Chestnut Ridge Road, 26505, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, 26506, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Arthur Y Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, 02114, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, 02115, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brianna L Norton
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 10461, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 10467, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, University of New Mexico, MSC 10, 5550, 87131, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Cristina Murray-Krezan
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jessica Anderson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, University of New Mexico, MSC 10, 5550, 87131, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Alison Karasz
- UMass Chan Medical School, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Ave, North, 01605, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Julia Arnsten
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 10461, Bronx, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 10467, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Phillip Moschella
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Prisma Health, Greenville, SC, USA
- School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 876 W Faris Rd, 29605, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - Moonseong Heo
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Clemson University, 29634, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Alain H Litwin
- School of Health Research, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 876 W Faris Rd, 29605, Greenville, SC, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Prisma Health, 29605, Greenville, SC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Feelemyer JP, Richard E, Khan MR, Scheidell JD, Caniglia EC, Manandhar-Sasaki P, Ban KF, Charles D, Braithwaite RS. Does the Association Between Stimulant use and High Risk Sexual Behavior Vary by Injection Drug Use, Sexual Minority Status, or HIV Infection Status? A Meta-analysis. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:2883-2890. [PMID: 36786937 PMCID: PMC10423740 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04012-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
There is strong evidence linking stimulant use, namely methamphetamine use, to sexual risk behavior among sexual minority men (SMM); we do not, however, have a good understanding of this relationship among other at-risk populations. In this study, we systematically reviewed associations between stimulant use (i.e., methamphetamine, crack cocaine, cocaine) and sexual risk behaviors among populations facing elevated risk of HIV transmission and acquisition (i.e., SMM, people who inject drugs (PWID), and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH)). Random-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses that included crude and adjusted estimates separately were conducted to evaluate the impact of potential confounding variables. The results showed strong relationships between stimulant use and condomless sex, transactional sex, and multiple sexual partners. Results were broadly consistent when analyses were stratified by type of stimulant (methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and other stimulants) and risk group. Sensitivity analyses with confounding variables did not greatly impact results. The results indicate that stimulant use is associated with numerous sexual risk behaviors regardless of risk group, suggesting prevention efforts focused on reducing methamphetamine-related HIV risk should target a range of at-risk populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan P Feelemyer
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Maria R Khan
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joy D Scheidell
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ellen C Caniglia
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Prima Manandhar-Sasaki
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kaoon Francois Ban
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dyanna Charles
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald Scott Braithwaite
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, 180 Madison 5th Floor, 10016, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lemansky MG, Martin AK, Bernstein JA, Assoumou SA. Research Compensation and Enhanced Contacts in Studies With Persons Who Use Drugs: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic Demand a Reset. Subst Abuse 2023; 17:11782218231179039. [PMID: 37309367 PMCID: PMC10251077 DOI: 10.1177/11782218231179039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Policy changes resulting from the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have had a substantial and positive impact on the clinical care of persons with opioid use disorder. These innovative paradigm shifts created a ripe environment for re-evaluating traditional approaches to recruiting and retaining persons who use drugs into research studies. For example, changes to methadone prescribing requirements and authorization of buprenorphine prescriptions via telehealth have both increased access to medications. In this commentary, we contribute to ongoing conversations about the ethics of compensation for participants in addiction-related clinical research and share methods of payment that proved successful in research performed during the pandemic. We also discuss approaches to enrollment and follow-up that were implemented during the height of COVID restrictions. These approaches may mutually benefit both participants and researchers in a post-pandemic era.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna K Martin
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Judith A Bernstein
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabrina A Assoumou
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Loeb TA, McFall AM, Srikrishnan AK, Anand S, Vasudevan CK, Mehta SH, Solomon SS. Integration of a geospatially targeted community-based testing approach with respondent-driven sampling to identify people who inject drugs living with HIV and HCV in Patti and Gorakhpur, India. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 247:109874. [PMID: 37087926 PMCID: PMC10612114 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respondent-driven sampling (RDS), a network recruitment approach, is effective at reaching people who inject drugs (PWID), but other strategies may be needed to reach PWID at risk or living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C (HCV). We examined the impact of integrating geospatially targeted community-based HIV/HCV testing with an RDS survey. METHODS PWID were recruited between 2019 and 2021 in Patti and Gorakhpur, India, in a two-phased approach for identifying PWID living with HIV/HCV. Phase 1 was an RDS survey, in which participants reported injection venues. Venues with the highest prevalence of HIV/HCV viremia were selected for Phase 2: community-based testing. All participants underwent rapid HIV and HCV testing and viral load quantification. Using Pearson's chi-squared test, two-sided exact significance tests, and t-tests, we compared prevalence and identification rates for each of the primary outcomes: the number of PWID 1) living with HIV/HCV, 2) undiagnosed, and 3) viremic. RESULTS Both approaches identified large numbers of PWID (n∼500 each; N=2011) who were living with HIV/HCV and had transmission potential (i.e., detectable viremia). The community-based approach identified a higher proportion of individuals living with HCV (76.4% vs. 69.6% in Gorakhpur and 36.3% vs. 29.0% in Patti). Community-based testing was also faster at identifying PWID with detectable HIV viremia. Both approaches identified PWID with varying demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Community-based testing was more efficient than RDS overall, but both may be required to reach PWID of varying characteristics. Surveillance should collect data on injection venues to facilitate community-based testing and maximize case identification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Talia A Loeb
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Allison M McFall
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Santhanam Anand
- YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, India
| | | | - Shruti H Mehta
- The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sunil S Solomon
- The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Austin EJ, Gojic AJ, Bhatraju EP, Pierce KA, Pickering EI, Tung EL, Scott JD, Hansen RN, Glick SN, Stekler JD, Connolly NC, Villafuerte S, McPadden M, Deutsch S, Ninburg M, Kubiniec R, Williams EC, Tsui JI. Barriers and facilitators to implementing a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator-Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) to treat hepatitis C among people who inject drugs. Int J Drug Policy 2023; 111:103924. [PMID: 36521197 PMCID: PMC9868078 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) offer an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, yet barriers among people who inject drugs (PWID) remain. Having pharmacists provide care through collaborative drug therapy agreements (CDTAs) offers a promising solution. We developed and piloted a Pharmacist, Physician, and Patient Navigator-Collaborative Care Model (PPP-CCM) which utilized pharmacists to directly deliver HCV care at community organizations serving PWID. We conducted formative evaluation of the PPP-CCM pilot to characterize implementation experiences. METHODS The PPP-CCM was implemented from November of 2020 through July of 2022. Formative evaluation team members observed implementation-related meetings and conducted multiple site visits, taking detailed fieldnotes. Fieldnotes were iteratively reviewed to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation and used to inform 7 key informant interviews conducted with programmatic staff at the end of the pilot. All data were analyzed using a Rapid Assessment Process (RAP) guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). The formative evaluation team shared results with program stakeholders (pharmacists, physicians, and other site staff) to verify and expand on learnings. RESULTS Evaluation of PPP-CCM revealed 5 themes, encompassing all CFIR domains: 1) PPP-CCM was feasible but challenging to deliver efficiently; 2) the pharmacist role and characteristics (e.g., being flexible, available, and patient-centered) were key to PPP-CCM successes; 3) the PPP-CCM team met challenges engaging patients over time, but some team-based strategies helped; 4) community site characteristics (e.g., existing trusting relationships with PWID and physical space that enabled program visibility) were important contributors; and 5) financial barriers may limit PPP-CCM scale-up and sustainability. CONCLUSION PPP-CCM is a novel and promising approach to HCV care delivery for PWID who may previously lack engagement in traditional care models, but careful attention needs to be paid to financial barriers to ensure scalability and sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Austin
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States.
| | - Alexander J Gojic
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Elenore P Bhatraju
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Kathleen A Pierce
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Eleanor I Pickering
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, United States
| | - Elyse L Tung
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle WA, United States
| | - John D Scott
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Ryan N Hansen
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Sara N Glick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Joanne D Stekler
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Nancy C Connolly
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Sarah Villafuerte
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | - Madison McPadden
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | - Sarah Deutsch
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | - Michael Ninburg
- Hepatitis Education Project, Seattle WA, United States (affiliation at the time of research)
| | | | - Emily C Williams
- Department of Health Systems and Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States; Seattle-Denver Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research & Development, VA Puget Sound, Seattle WA, United States
| | - Judith I Tsui
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine University of Washington, Seattle WA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Duncan E, Shufelt S, Barranco M, Udo T. Acceptability of supervised injection facilities among persons who inject drugs in upstate New York. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:87. [PMID: 35907854 PMCID: PMC9338679 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00665-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) provide spaces where persons who inject drugs (PWID) can inject under medical supervision and access harm reduction services. Though SIFs are not currently sanctioned in most of the US, such facilities are being considered for approval in several Upstate New York communities. No data exist from PWID in Upstate New York, and little from outside major US urban centers, on willingness to use SIFs and associated factors. METHODS This analysis included 285 PWID (mean age = 38.7; 57.7% male; 72.3% non-Hispanic white) recruited for a study on hepatitis C prevalence among PWID in Upstate New York, where participants were recruited from syringe exchange programs (n = 80) and able to refer other PWID from their injection networks (n = 223). Participants completed an electronic questionnaire that included a brief description of SIFs and assessed willingness to use SIFs. We compared sociodemographic characteristics, drug use/harm reduction history, healthcare experience, and stigma between participants who were willing vs. unwilling to use such programs. RESULTS Overall, 67.4% were willing to use SIFs, 18.3% unwilling, and 14.4% unsure. Among those reporting being willing or unwilling, we found higher willingness among those who were currently homeless (91.8% vs. 74.6%; p = 0.004), who had interacted with police in the past 12 months (85.7% vs. 74.5%; p = 0.04), and who were refused service within a healthcare setting (100% vs. 77.1%; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Our results support SIF acceptability in several Upstate New York PWID communities, particularly among those reporting feelings of marginalization. A large proportion reported being unsure about usage of SIFs, suggesting room for educating PWID on the potential benefits of this service. Our results support SIF acceptability in Upstate New York and may inform programming for underserved PWID, should SIFs become available.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Duncan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA.
| | - Sarah Shufelt
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Meredith Barranco
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Tomoko Udo
- Department of Health Policy, Management, and Behavior, School of Public Health, University at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA.,Center for Collaborative HIV Research in Practice and Policy, School of Public Health, University at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Meyers-Pantele SA, Mittal ML, Jain S, Sun S, Rammohan I, Fairbairn N, Milloy MJ, DeBeck K, Hayashi K, Werb D. The influence of poly-drug use patterns on the association between opioid agonist treatment engagement and injecting initiation assistance. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2022; 17:39. [PMID: 35590419 PMCID: PMC9118611 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-022-00470-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence suggests people who inject drugs (PWID) prescribed opioid agonist treatment (OAT) are less likely to provide injection drug use (IDU) initiation assistance. We investigated the association between OAT engagement and providing IDU initiation assistance across poly-drug use practices in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Preventing Injecting by Modifying Existing Responses (PRIMER) is a prospective study seeking to identify structural interventions that reduce IDU initiation. We employed data from linked cohorts of PWID in Vancouver and extended the findings of a latent profile analysis (LPA). Multivariable logistic regression models were performed separately for the six poly-drug use LPA classes. The outcome was recently assisting others in IDU initiation; the independent variable was recent OAT engagement. RESULTS Among participants (n = 1218), 85 (7.0%) reported recently providing injection initiation assistance. When adjusting for age and sex, OAT engagement among those who reported a combination of high-frequency heroin and methamphetamine IDU and low-to-moderate-frequency prescription opioid IDU and methamphetamine non-injection drug use (NIDU) was associated with lower odds of IDU initiation assistance provision (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.05-0.63, P = 0.008). Significant associations were not detected among other LPA classes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings extend evidence suggesting that OAT may provide a population-level protective effect on the incidence of IDU initiation and suggest that this effect may be specific among PWID who engage in high-frequency methamphetamine and opioid use. Future research should seek to longitudinally investigate potential causal pathways explaining the association between OAT and initiation assistance provision among PWID to develop tailored intervention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Meyers-Pantele
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0507, USA
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Maria Luisa Mittal
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0507, USA
- School of Medicine, Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana, BC, Mexico
| | - Sonia Jain
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shelly Sun
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Indhu Rammohan
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kora DeBeck
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- School of Public Policy, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Dan Werb
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0507, USA.
- Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Des Jarlais DC, Feelemyer J, McKnight C, Knudtson K, Glick SN. Is your syringe services program cost-saving to society? A methodological case study. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:126. [PMID: 34876135 PMCID: PMC8650283 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00575-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While there is a general acceptance among public health officials and policy-makers that syringe services programs can be effective in reducing HIV transmission among persons who inject drugs, local syringe services programs are often asked to provide economic justifications for their activities. A cost-effectiveness study, estimating the cost of preventing one HIV infection, would be the preferred methods for addressing this economic question, but few local syringe services programs have the needed data, staff and epidemiologic modeling resources needed for a cost-effectiveness study. We present a method for estimating a threshold value for the number of HIV infections prevented above which the program will be cost-saving to society. An intervention is considered "cost-saving" when it leads to a desirable health outcome a lower cost than the alternative. METHODS The research literature on the effectiveness of syringe services programs in controlling HIV transmission among persons who inject drugs and guidelines for syringe services program that are "functioning very well" were used to estimate the cost-saving threshold at which a syringe services program becomes cost-saving through preventing HIV infections versus lifetime treatment of HIV. Three steps are involved: (1) determining if HIV transmission in the local persons who inject drugs (PWID) population is being controlled, (2) determining if the local syringe services program is functioning very well, and then (3) dividing the annual budget of the syringe services program by the lifetime cost of treating a single HIV infection. RESULTS A syringe services program in an area with controlled HIV transmission (with HIV incidence of 1/100 person-years or less), functioning very well (with high syringe coverage, linkages to other services, and monitoring the local drug use situation), and an annual budget of $500,000 would need to prevent only 3 new HIV infections per year to be cost-saving. CONCLUSIONS Given the high costs of treating HIV infections, syringe services programs that are operating according to very good practices ("functioning very well") and in communities in which HIV transmission is being controlled among persons who inject drugs, will almost certainly be cost-saving to society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- Epidemiology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA.
| | - Jonathan Feelemyer
- Epidemiology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Courtney McKnight
- Epidemiology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10003, USA
| | - Kelly Knudtson
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sara N Glick
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jones JT, Smith DK, Wiener J, August EM, Finlayson T, Wejnert C. Assessment of PrEP Awareness, PrEP Discussion with a Provider, and PrEP Use by Transmission Risk Group with an Emphasis on the Southern United States. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2985-2991. [PMID: 33523345 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The number of new HIV diagnoses is highest in the South. Many persons who might benefit from pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are not engaged in the HIV PrEP continuum of care. We analyzed National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data to assess engagement in the PrEP continuum of care among persons with increased HIV risk. We compared PrEP awareness, discussion with a clinical provider, and use among persons living in the South to those living elsewhere in the United States. PrEP awareness was lowest among heterosexual persons (7%), highest among men who have sex with men (85%), and 26% among persons who inject drugs. PrEP use was low among each population (≤ 35% for all cycles). There was limited evidence of differences in PrEP use between persons in southern and non-southern U.S. Efforts are needed to increase use of PrEP among each of the groups with increased HIV risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jamal T Jones
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA.
| | - Dawn K Smith
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Jeffrey Wiener
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Euna M August
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Teresa Finlayson
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| | - Cyprian Wejnert
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30333, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Tsui JI, Barry MP, Austin EJ, Sweek EW, Tung E, Hansen RN, Ninburg M, Scott JD, Glick SN, Williams EC. 'Treat my whole person, not just my condition': qualitative explorations of hepatitis C care delivery preferences among people who inject drugs. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2021; 16:52. [PMID: 34384494 PMCID: PMC8358259 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-021-00260-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The advent of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs)—a form of hepatitis C (HCV) treatment associated with shorter treatment course and greater efficacy—offers an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate HCV, but only if care delivery systems are developed to extend treatment to people who inject drugs (PWID). To support the design of a community-pharmacy program, we explored perspectives of PWID with chronic HCV with regard to barriers, motivators, preferences, and prior experiences related to HCV treatment and pharmacists. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with people living with HCV who reported active injection drug use. Participants were recruited from local community service and clinical organizations in the Seattle, Washington region, and focus groups and interviews were conducted in-person or via phone/video-conference. Rapid Assessment Process was used to analyze qualitative data. Dual coders used structured templates to summarize findings and engaged in iterative review to identify themes. Results Among the 40 participants, 65% were male, 52.5% were white, and 80% were not stably housed. On average, participants had been injecting drugs for 14 years and living with HCV for 6 years. Analyses revealed 3 themes: (1) limited knowledge regarding HCV and DAA treatments; (2) barriers/motivators for receiving treatment included fear of side effects, prior stigmatizing behaviors from physicians, and desire to protect relatives and the PWID community from HCV transmission; and (3) preferences for HCV care delivery, including a need for person-centered, low-barrier, and collaborative treatment integrated with other care (e.g. primary care and addiction treatment) for PWID. Participants were generally receptive to a community-pharmacy model for HCV treatment, but prior interactions with pharmacists were mixed and there were some concerns expressed that care delivered by pharmacists would not be equivalent to that of physicians. Conclusions Even in the direct-acting antivirals era, people who inject drugs still face major barriers to hepatitis C treatment which may be reduced by providing low-barrier points of access for care through pharmacists. Key recommendations for community-pharmacy design included providing care team training to reduce stigma and ensuring care team structures and culture target PWID-specific needs for education and engagement. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-021-00260-8.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith I Tsui
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Box 359780 - 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
| | - Michael P Barry
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Austin
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elsa W Sweek
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research & Development, VA Puget Sound, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elyse Tung
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ryan N Hansen
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Kelley-Ross Pharmacy Group, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - John D Scott
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Box 359780 - 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Sara N Glick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,HIV/STD Program, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Emily C Williams
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care, Health Services Research & Development, VA Puget Sound, Seattle, WA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Assoumou SA, Paniagua SM, Gonzalez P, Wang J, Beckwith CG, White LF, Taylor JL, Coogan K, Samet JH, Linas BP. HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Buprenorphine at a Drug Detoxification Center During the Opioid Epidemic: Opportunities and Challenges. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2591-2598. [PMID: 33751315 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and buprenorphine decrease HIV acquisition. Between November, 2016 and July, 2017, we surveyed persons (N = 200) at a drug detoxification center to assess their interest in PrEP and in buprenorphine, and to examine factors associated with such interests. Over the previous 6 months, 58% (117/200) injected drugs, 87% (173/200) used opioids, 50% (85/171) had condomless sex. Only 22% (26/117) of persons who injected drugs were aware of PrEP, yet 74% (86/116) and 72% (84/116) were interested in oral or injectable PrEP, respectively. Thirty-eight percent (47/125) of persons not receiving buprenorphine or methadone expressed interest in buprenorphine. After multivariable adjustment, Latinx ethnicity was associated with interest in PrEP (aOR 3.80; 95% CI 1.37-10.53), while male gender (aOR 2.76; 95% CI 1.21-6.34) was associated with interest in buprenorphine. Opportunities exist to implement PrEP and buprenorphine within drug detoxification centers.Clinical trial registration NCT02869776. Clinicaltrials.gov https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02869776?term=Sabrina+Assoumou&cond=HIV+HCV&rank=1 .
Collapse
|
17
|
Patel EU, Solomon SS, Lucas GM, McFall AM, Tomori C, Srikrishnan AK, Kumar MS, Laeyendecker O, Celentano DD, Thomas DL, Quinn TC, Mehta SH. Drug use stigma and its association with active hepatitis C virus infection and injection drug use behaviors among community-based people who inject drugs in India. Int J Drug Policy 2021; 96:103354. [PMID: 34247900 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although drug use stigma is globally pervasive, quantitative evidence of its role in hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission is limited. We evaluated the psychometric properties of a drug use stigma scale and examined the association between drug use stigma and active HCV infection among a community-based sample of people who inject drugs (PWID) in India. METHODS Between 8/2016 and 5/2017, a cross-sectional sample of PWID was recruited from 12 Indian cities (~1000/city) using respondent-driven sampling. Participants were ≥18 years old and reported injection drug use (IDU) in the past 2 years. Multivariable logistic regression with a random-intercept for each city was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of active HCV infection (RNA>30 IU/mL). Analyses incorporated RDS-II weights. RESULTS Of 11,663 participants, 73.1% reported IDU in the past 6 months and 33.8% had active HCV infection. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution of enacted, vicarious, felt normative and internalized drug use stigma with high internal consistency (Cronbach's α: 0.85-0.92). In analyses adjusted for age, gender, northeast region, education, homelessness, incarceration, alcohol dependence, HIV status, frequency of IDU, and ever sharing needles/syringes, PWID reporting any enacted stigma had greater odds of active HCV infection (aOR = 1.27 [95% CI = 1.13-1.43]) as did PWID with internalized stigma scores in the highest quartile (vs. lowest quartile; aOR = 1.69 [95% CI = 1.11-2.56]). Among PWID who reported IDU in the past 6 months, multiple forms of stigma were associated with higher frequency of IDU, sharing needles/syringes, having multiple injection partners, and IDU in public spaces. CONCLUSION Using a multidimensional drug use stigma scale, various forms of stigma were significantly associated with active HCV infection and injection drug use-related risk behaviors. Collectively, these data suggest that drug use stigma may play a role in HCV transmission and impede efforts to achieve HCV elimination. Strategies to diminish drug use stigma are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eshan U Patel
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sunil S Solomon
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; YR Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, India
| | - Gregory M Lucas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Allison M McFall
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cecília Tomori
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Oliver Laeyendecker
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - David D Celentano
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - David L Thomas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas C Quinn
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Baltimore MD, USA
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Des Jarlais DC, Feelemyer J, Arasteh K, Huong DT, Oanh KTH, Khue PM, Giang HT, Thanh NTT, Moles JP, Vinh VH, Vallo R, Quillet C, Rapoud D, Michel L, Laureillard D, Nagot N. The methamphetamine epidemic among persons who inject heroin in Hai Phong, Vietnam. J Subst Abuse Treat 2021; 126:108320. [PMID: 34116818 PMCID: PMC8197775 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To describe the current methamphetamine (MA) use epidemic among persons who inject heroin (PWID) in Hai Phong, Vietnam, and consider possibilities for mitigating adverse effects of methamphetamine use. METHODS This study conducted surveys of PWID in 2016, 2017, and 2018 (N = 1383, 1451, and 1445, respectively). Trained interviewers administered structured interviews covering drug use histories, current drug use, and related risk behaviors. The study used urinalysis to confirm current drug use, and conducted HIV and HCV testing. RESULTS Participants were predominantly male (95%), mean age of 40, and all reported injecting heroin. Respondents' reports of initiating MA use were rare up through early 2000s but increased exponentially through the mid-2010s. MA use was predominantly "smoking," heating the drug and inhaling the vapor using a pipe; injecting MA was rare. Current (past 30 day) MA use appears to have plateaued in 2016-2018 with 53-58% of participants reporting no use in the last 30 days, 37-41% reporting low to moderate use (1 to 19 days in last 30 days), and 5-7% reporting very frequent use (20 or more days in last 30 days). This plateau reflects a rough balance between new users and individuals ceasing use. CONCLUSIONS MA use has become a substantial public health problem among PWID in Hai Phong. Initiation into MA use rose exponentially from 2005 to about 2015. Use of MA will likely continue for a substantial number of PWID. Currently, no medication is approved for treating MA disorders in Vietnam. Current psychosocial treatment requires highly trained counselors and months of treatment, so that psychosocial treatment for all PWID with MA disorders is likely beyond the resources available in a middle-income country such as Vietnam. Harm reduction programs implemented by community-based organization staff may provide a way to rapidly address aspects of the current MA epidemic. Such programs could emphasize social support for reducing use where possible and for avoiding escalation of use among persons continuing to use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Kamyar Arasteh
- New York University School of Global Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Duong Thi Huong
- Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Haiphong, Viet Nam
| | | | - Pham Minh Khue
- Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Haiphong, Viet Nam
| | - Hoang Thi Giang
- Haiphong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Haiphong, Viet Nam
| | | | - Jean Pierre Moles
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Vu Hai Vinh
- Dept of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Viet Tiep Hospital, Haiphong, Viet Nam
| | - Roselyne Vallo
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Quillet
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Delphine Rapoud
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Michel
- Pierre Nicole Center, French Red Cross, CESP/Inserrm 1018, Paris, France
| | - Didier Laureillard
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France; Infectious Diseases Department, Caremeau University Hospital, Nîmes, France
| | - Nicolas Nagot
- Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic Infections, Inserm, Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Zhang B, Yan X, Li Y, Zhu H, Liu Z, Lu Z, Jia Z. Epidemic of HIV infection among persons who inject drugs in mainland China: a series, cross-sectional study. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:63. [PMID: 34118933 PMCID: PMC8199561 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00511-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have suggested that the injection drug use (IDU) was no longer the main transmission route of HIV/AIDS in China. However, there has never been a study to assess the national HIV epidemic among persons who inject drugs (PWIDs) based on a nationwide database.
Methods PWIDs among new entrants in detoxification centers with HIV test results were extracted from the 2008–2016 National Dynamic Management and Control Database for Persons Who Use Drugs (NDMCD). Logistic regressions were used to analyze factors associated with HIV infection, and joinpoint regression were used to examine trends in the HIV prevalence. Results A total of 103,619 PWIDs among new entrants tested for HIV in detoxification centers between 2008 and 2016 were included in the analysis. The HIV prevalence was 5.0% (n = 5167) among PWIDs. A U-shaped curve of the HIV prevalence decreased from 4.9% in 2008 to 3.3% in 2010 (Annual Percent Change [APC] − 20.6, 95% CI − 32.5 to − 6.7, p < 0.05) and subsequently increased from 3.3% in 2010 to 8.6% in 2016 (APC 17.9, 95% CI 14.5–21.4, p < 0.05) was observed. The HIV prevalence in west regions in China all presented decreased trends, while central and eastern regions presented increased trends. Conclusions Although the HIV prevalence has been declining in general population, the HIV prevalence among PWIDs has shown an increasing trend since 2010. Current policies on HIV control in PWIDs should be reassessed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12954-021-00511-6.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiangyu Yan
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yongjie Li
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - He Zhu
- China Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhimin Liu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zuhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Zhongwei Jia
- School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center for Intelligent Public Health, Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center for Drug Abuse Control and Prevention, National Institute of Health Data Science, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Uusküla A, Talu A, Rannap J, Barnes DM, Jarlais DD. Rapid point-of-care (POC) testing for Hepatitis C antibodies in a very high prevalence setting: persons injecting drugs in Tallinn, Estonia. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:39. [PMID: 33794927 PMCID: PMC8015736 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00485-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between December 2018 and January of 2019, we evaluated the accuracy of the point-of-care Hepatitis C (HCV) antibody test (POC; OraQuick HCV) used at a community-based needle and syringe exchange program serving persons who inject drugs in Tallinn, Estonia. METHODS We compared the results of screening for HCV antibodies by OraQuick (oral swab) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA; blood draw) and assessed test results implications in a high prevalence setting. Findings Of the 100 participants, 88 (88%) had reactive POC test results, and 93 were HCV antibody positive on EIA testing. Sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) for the POC assay with EIA as the relevant reference test were as follows: 94.6% (95% CI 90.0-99.2%), 100% and 58.3% (95% CI 30.4-86.2%). Of the 12 testing, HCV-negative with the POC only 7 (58.3%) were true negatives. CONCLUSIONS Oral swab rapid testing HCV screening in this nonclinical setting was sensitive and specific but had unacceptably low NPV. In high prevalence settings, POC tests with high sensitivity and that directly measure HCV RNA may be warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anneli Uusküla
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Ave Talu
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Rannap
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - David M Barnes
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012, USA
| | - Don Des Jarlais
- School of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, New York, NY, 10012, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
ASSOUMOU SA, SIAN CR, GEBEL CM, LINAS BP, SAMET JH, BERNSTEIN JA. Patients at a drug detoxification center share perspectives on how to increase hepatitis C treatment uptake: A qualitative study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2021; 220:108526. [PMID: 33465604 PMCID: PMC8064807 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The US opioid crisis is associated with a surge in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among persons who inject drugs (PWID), and yet the uptake of HCV curative therapy among PWID is low. PURPOSE To explore potential solutions to overcome barriers to HCV treatment uptake among individuals at a drug detoxification center. METHODS Qualitative study with in-depth interviews and thematic analysis of coded data. RESULTS Patients (N = 24) had the following characteristics: mean age 37 years; 67 % White, 13 % Black, 8 % Latinx, 4 % Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 8 % other; 71 % with a history of injecting drugs. Most patients with a positive HCV test had not pursued treatment due to few perceived immediate consequences from a positive test and possible complications arising in a distant poorly imagined future. Active substance use was a major barrier to HCV treatment uptake because of disruptions to routine activities. In addition, re-infection after treatment was perceived as inevitable. Patients had suggestions to improve HCV treatment uptake: high-intensity wraparound care characterized by frequent interactions with supportive services; same-day/walk-in options; low-barrier access to substance use treatment; assistance with navigating the health care system; attention to immediate needs, such as housing; and the opportunity to select an approach that best fits individual circumstances. CONCLUSIONS Active substance use was a major barrier to treatment initiation. To improve uptake, affected individuals recommended that HCV treatment be integrated within substance use treatment programs. Such a model should incorporate patient education within low-barrier, high-intensity wraparound care, tailored to patients' needs and priorities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina A. ASSOUMOU
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carlos R. SIAN
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin P. LINAS
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA,Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA,Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. SAMET
- Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA,Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Walters SM, Kral AH, Lamb S, Goldshear JL, Wenger L, Bluthenthal RN. Correlates of Transactional Sex and Violent Victimization among Men Who Inject Drugs in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California. J Urban Health 2021; 98:70-82. [PMID: 33409836 PMCID: PMC7873178 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-020-00494-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Men who inject drugs (MWID) and engage in transactional sex (i.e., receive money or drugs in exchange for sex) are vulnerable to HIV and violence. However, MWID who engage in transactional sex have been less studied than women. We examine factors associated with transactional sex among MWID in Los Angeles and San Francisco and whether transactional sex is associated with violent victimization. MWID were recruited using targeted sampling methods in 2011-2013 and completed surveys that covered demographics, drug use, HIV risk, violence, transactional sex, and other items. Multivariable logistic regression was used to (1) determine factors independently associated with transactional sex and (2) determine if transactional sex was independently associated with violence victimization in the last 6 months among MWID. An interaction term between income source and sexual identity was included in the transactional sex model. Of the 572 male PWID in the sample, 47 (8%) reported transactional sex in the past 6 months. Self-reported HIV infection was 7% for MWID who did not report transactional sex, 17% for MWID who reported transactional sex, and 24% for MWID who reported transactional sex and reported gay or bisexual identity. In multivariable analysis, transactional sex was positively associated with gay or bisexual identity (GB without illegal income adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 5.16; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.86-14.27; GB with illegal income AOR = 13.55, CI = 4.57-40.13), coerced sex in the last 12 months (AOR = 11.66, CI = 1.94-70.12), and violent victimization in the last 12 months (AOR = 2.31, CI = 1.13-4.75). Transactional sex was negatively associated with heroin injection (last 30 days) (AOR = 0.37; 95% CI = 0.18-0.78). Transactional sex was independently associated with violent victimization in the last 12 months (AOR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.00-4.14) while controlling for confounders. MWID who engaged in transactional sex are at elevated risk for HIV and multiple forms of violent victimization. Interventions focused on this at-risk subpopulation are urgently needed and should include access to substance use disorder treatment, victimization services, and harm reduction services across the HIV care continuum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suzan M Walters
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Shona Lamb
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jesse L Goldshear
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Ricky N Bluthenthal
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Parker MA, Zoh RS, Nelson EJ, Owora AH. Correlates of disparities in syringe return ratios: A cross-sectional study of a syringe services program in New York. J Subst Abuse Treat 2020; 121:108193. [PMID: 33357603 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Predictors of syringe exchange behavior are critical to informing secondary prevention measures needed to attenuate risk of blood-borne infections among persons who inject drugs (PWID). METHODS Participants included PWIDs who attended a syringe services program in New York from 2015 to 2017 (n = 1777). We analyzed the syringe return ratio (receipts/returns) with two distinct but related methodological strategies-threshold logistic regression and quantile regression-to identify correlates of disparities in syringe return ratios. RESULTS The majority of participants were white males negative for HIV (90% white, 63% male, 76% HIV-). Logistic and quantile regression models showed that the correlates of disparate syringe return ratios (i.e., magnitude and directionality of differences) changed across different percentile groups and quantile levels, respectively. At the median threshold, being single, urbanicity, and older age were associated with higher return ratios. Syringe return ratio disparities were more pronounced among subgroups of nontypical PWIDs (with extremely low or high return ratios) especially by urbanicity, race, relationship status, and type of housing. CONCLUSIONS Irrespective of urbanicity classification, correlates of syringe return ratios such as older age, Black race, single relationship status, and unstable housing appear to be critical to informing targeted secondary prevention initiatives that promote harm reduction behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Parker
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Roger S Zoh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Erik J Nelson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Arthur H Owora
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Huang G, Davis KA, Petty SA, Tan WA, Barnes EW, Peacock JE Jr. Left-sided infective endocarditis in persons who inject drugs. Infection 2020; 48:375-83. [PMID: 32100188 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-020-01402-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to describe left-sided infective endocarditis (LSIE) in persons who inject drugs (PWID) and compare that group to PWID with non-LSIE and to non-PWID with LSIE. METHODS Retrospective single-center study of adult IE patients from 2011 to 2018. RESULTS Of the 333 patients in our cohort, 54 were PWID with LSIE, 75 were PWID with non-LSIE, and 204 were non-PWID with LSIE. When comparing LSIE vs non-LSIE in PWID, the LSIE group was older (median age 35 vs 28.5, p < 0.01), had fewer S. aureus infections (59% vs 92%, p < 0.01), was more likely to have cardiac surgery (31% vs 13%, p < 0.01), and had a higher 10-week mortality (22% vs 5%, p < 0.01). When comparing PWID with LSIE to non-PWID with LSIE, the PWID group were younger (median age 35 vs 46, p < 0.01); had more frequent multi-valve involvement (33% vs 19%, p = 0.04), Staphylococcus aureus infections (54% vs 27%, p < 0.01), and previous IE (24% vs 8%, p < 0.01); and experienced more strokes (54% vs 31%, p < 0.01). Ten-week mortality was similar for LSIE in both PWID and non-PWID (24% vs 20%, p = 0.47). CONCLUSIONS LSIE in PWID is not uncommon. Compared to non-LSIE in PWID, valve surgery is more common and mortality is higher. For reasons that are unclear, stroke is more frequent in LSIE in PWID than in non-PWID with LSIE but mortality is no different.
Collapse
|
25
|
Sacamano PL, Mehta SH, Latkin C, Falade-Nwulia O, Kirk GD, Rudolph AE. Characterizing latent classes of social support among persons who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2020; 207:107816. [PMID: 31923777 PMCID: PMC7532840 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social network members influence risk and health behaviors, yet little is known about the support that persons who inject drugs (PWID) receive from their closest ties. METHODS 970 participants from the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study completed a social network survey between April 2016 and June 2017 about their five closest ties. Our analysis: 1) identified latent classes of support received by participants; 2) determined whether class membership differed by current (≤12 months) vs. former (>12 months) injection drug use; 3) compared classes of support by individual and network characteristics. RESULTS 970 participants listed 3,388 network members. We identified three support classes: (1) Moderate (n = 249): probabilities of support <0.40; (2) High (n = 366): probabilities of support 0.58-0.82; (3) Very high (n = 355): probabilities of support 0.91-0.99. In adjusted analysis compared to moderate support, the odds of high and very high support increased as the mean age of network members increased (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]:1.03; 95 % CI: 1.01, 1.05) and as the number of network members with whom they interacted daily increased (AOR-high: 1.33; 95 % CI:1.14, 1.56 and AOR-very high: 1.54; 95 % CI: 1.30, 1.83). While current injection drug use was associated with lower unadjusted odds of high and very high support, the associations were not statistically significant in adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS Support was higher among networks of older ties and more frequent interaction, but differences did not appear to be driven by injection drug use status. Findings point to the importance of the closest social ties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul L Sacamano
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States.
| | - Shruti H Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E6546, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Carl Latkin
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House 737, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins Department of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 215, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Gregory D Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E6533, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Abby E Rudolph
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Temple University College of Public Health, 1301 Cecil B Moore Avenue, Ritter Annex 905, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Dasgupta S, Broz D, Tanner M, Patel M, Halleck B, Peters PJ, Weidle PJ, O'Donnell J, Amlung J, McAlister C, Chapman E, Bailey A, Burnett J, Duwve J. Changes in Reported Injection Behaviors Following the Public Health Response to an HIV Outbreak Among People Who Inject Drugs: Indiana, 2016. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:3257-3266. [PMID: 31313095 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02600-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A syringe services program (SSP) was established following the Indiana HIV outbreak among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in Scott County. Among Indiana-based PWID, we examined injection behaviors associated with HIV status, SSP use after its establishment, and changes in injection behaviors after the outbreak response. During 2016, we interviewed 200 PWID and assessed injection behaviors before the response by HIV status. We reported injection behaviors prior to the response and used Fisher's exact Chi square tests (P < 0.05) to assess differences by HIV status. Next, among persons who injected both before (July-December 2014) and after (past 30 days) the response, we (1) reported the proportion of persons who used the SSP to obtain sterile syringes, and assessed differences in SSP use by HIV status using Fisher's exact Chi square tests; and (2) compared distributive and receptive sharing of injection equipment and disposal of syringes before and after the outbreak response, and assessed statistical differences using McNemar's test. We also compared injection behaviors before and after the response by HIV status. Injecting extended release oxymorphone (Opana® ER); receptive sharing of syringes and cookers; and distributive sharing of cookers, filters, or water before the response were associated with HIV infection. SSP use was high (86%), particularly among HIV-positive compared with HIV-negative persons (98% vs. 84%). Injection equipment sharing decreased and safe disposal of used syringes increased after the response, especially among HIV-positive persons. Injection equipment sharing contributed to the outbreak. High SSP use following the response, particularly among HIV-positive persons, contributed to decreased high-risk injection practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sharoda Dasgupta
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Dita Broz
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Mary Tanner
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Monita Patel
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | | | - Philip J Peters
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Paul J Weidle
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Julie O'Donnell
- Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Joseph Amlung
- Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Cameron McAlister
- Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Erika Chapman
- Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ayriane Bailey
- Indiana State Department of Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Janet Burnett
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Joan Duwve
- Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Chapin-Bardales J, Masciotra S, Smith A, Hoots BE, Martin A, Switzer WM, Luo W, Owen SM, Paz-Bailey G. Characteristics of Persons Who Inject Drugs with Recent HIV Infection in the United States: National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 2012. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:3277-3285. [PMID: 30778809 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02420-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated characteristics associated with recent HIV infection among persons who inject drugs (PWID) from 19 U.S. cities who participated in 2012 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance. Recent infection was defined as having a reactive HIV test, a Bio-Rad Avidity index cutoff ≤ 30%, no reported HIV diagnosis ≥ 12 months before interview, and no evidence of viral suppression. Of 8667 PWID, 50 (0.6%) were recently HIV infected. Having a greater number of sex partners (≥ 2 partners vs. 0) [prevalence ratio (PR) 4.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-17.8], injecting heroin and other drugs (PR 3.0, 95% CI 1.3-6.6) or exclusively non-heroin drugs (PR 5.9, 95% CI 1.7-20.7) compared to injecting only heroin, and having male-male sex in the past year (PR 7.1, 95% CI 3.0-16.6) were associated with recent infection. Promoting not only safe injection practices but also safe sex practices will be key to preventing new HIV infections.
Collapse
|
28
|
Des Jarlais DC, Arasteh K, McKnight C, Feelemyer J, Perlman DC, Tross S. Prescription opiate analgesics, heroin, HIV and HCV among persons who inject drugs in New York City, 2016-2018. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 204:107459. [PMID: 31521951 PMCID: PMC6878143 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assess relationships among non-medical use of prescription opioid analgesics (POAs), heroin use, and HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) infection among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in New York City, 2016-2018. METHODS PWID (N = 134) were recruited from Mount Sinai Beth Israel drug treatment programs. HIV seropositive persons were oversampled. A questionnaire was administered, and serum samples were collected for HIV and HCV testing. Analyses were stratified by HIV serostatus and compared those who had used POAs to those who had not used POAs. RESULTS Among the participants, 97% reported injecting heroin, 44% reported injecting cocaine, and 47% reported smoking crack cocaine in the 6 months prior to the interview. There were 66% who reported oral non-medical use of POAs, with 42% using oral POAs in the previous 6 months. There was a clear historical pattern in median year of first injection for different groups: HIV seropositive persons (1985), HIV seronegative persons who never used POAs (1999), and HIV seronegative persons who used POAs (2009). By the time of interview (2016-2018), however, almost all participants (97%) reported injecting heroin. All PWID who reported using POAs also reported injecting heroin. CONCLUSIONS Non-medical POA use among PWID was very common and should not be considered a separate drug use epidemic, but as an additional component of the continuing heroin/poly-drug use epidemic, itself a part of the syndemic of opioid use, stimulant use, overdose, HCV and HIV occurring in New York City.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don C. Des Jarlais
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, Suite 800, New York, NY10003, United States,Corresponding author at: College of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway Suite 800, New York, NY, 10003, United States., (D.C. Des Jarlais)
| | - Kamyar Arasteh
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, Suite 800, New York, NY10003, United States
| | - Courtney McKnight
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, Suite 800, New York, NY10003, United States
| | - Jonathan Feelemyer
- College of Global Public Health, New York University, 665 Broadway, Suite 800, New York, NY10003, United States
| | - David C. Perlman
- Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, 10 Union Square East, Suite 3F, New York, NY, 10003, United States
| | - Susan Tross
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY, 10032, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
We present a simple, comprehensive method for assessing similarity between sex partners of a participant and demonstrate its application using data collected in 2015 as part of CDC's National HIV behavioral surveillance (NHBS) among persons who inject drugs (PWID). We found that the pairwise similarity between sex partners of a survey participant was high. The similarity between second-to-last and third-to-last partners in the past 3 months was significantly higher than that between last and second-to-last partner in partner type, frequency of sex acts, and the contextual characteristics of sex behavior at last sexual encounter. The proposed approach provides an innovative measure of the added value of multi-partner series. The empirical analysis suggests that querying additional sex partners contributes limited data to characterize a participant's sexual behaviors among NHBS PWID. Future studies should apply the proposed method to evaluate the added value of data on multiple sex partners among other populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian An
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop E-46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Ruiguang Song
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop E-46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Teresa J Finlayson
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop E-46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Catlainn Sionean
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop E-46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Cyprian Wejnert
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Mailstop E-46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Kim N, Welty S, Reza T, Sears D, McFarland W, Raymond HF. Undiagnosed and Untreated HIV Infection Among Persons Who Inject Drugs: Results of Three National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Surveys, San Francisco, 2009-2015. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:1586-1589. [PMID: 30259347 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2284-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
We examined three waves of National HIV Behavioral Surveillance surveys of persons who inject drugs (PWID) in San Francisco to assess meeting UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. Diagnosis of PWID living with HIV increased from 64.4% in 2009 to 80.5% in 2015. Antiretroviral treatment among those diagnosed did not improve (63.8% in 2009, 62.9% in 2015). Programs in San Francisco have not achieved the first two UNAIDS targets for PWID by 2015. In a context of a rising opioid epidemic, there is urgent need for increased case finding of PWID living with HIV who are undiagnosed with rapid linkage to treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Kim
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Susie Welty
- Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tania Reza
- Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Sears
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Willi McFarland
- Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Public Health, Center for Public Health Research, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 700, San Francisco, CA, 94102-6033, USA.
| | - Henry F Raymond
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Des Jarlais DC, Hammett TM, Kieu B, Chen Y, Feelemyer J. Working With Persons Who Inject Drugs and Live in Rural Areas: Implications From China/Vietnam for the USA. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2019; 15:302-307. [PMID: 29948610 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-018-0405-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To describe a small city/rural area HIV prevention project (the Cross Border Project) implemented in Ning Ming County, Guangxi Province, China, and Lang Son province, Vietnam, and consider its implications for addressing the opioid/heroin epidemic in small cities/rural areas in the USA. The description and the outcomes of the Cross Border project were taken from published reports, project records, and recent data provided by local public health authorities. Evaluation included serial cross-sectional surveys of people who inject drugs to assess trends in risk behaviors and HIV prevalence. HIV incidence was estimated from prevalence among new injectors and through BED testing. RECENT FINDINGS The Cross Border project operated from 2002 to 2010. Key components of the project 2 included the use of peer outreach workers for HIV/AIDS education, distribution of sterile injection equipment and condoms, and collection of used injection equipment. The project had the strong support of local authorities, including law enforcement, and the general community. Significant reductions in risk behavior, HIV prevalence, and estimated HIV incidence were observed. Community support for the project was maintained. Activities have been continued and expanded since the project formally ended. The Cross Border project faced challenges similar to those occurring in the current opioid crisis in US small cities/rural areas: poor transportation, limited resources (particularly trained staff), poverty, and potential community opposition to helping people who use drugs. It should be possible to adapt the strategies used in the Cross Border project to small cities/rural areas in the US opioid epidemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- The Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway 5th Floor Suite 530, New York, NY, 10006, USA.
| | - Theodore M Hammett
- Abt Associates, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway 5th Floor Suite 530, New York, NY, 10006, USA
| | - Binh Kieu
- AIDS Health Care Foundation, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Yi Chen
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control, Nanning, China
| | - Jonathan Feelemyer
- The Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway 5th Floor Suite 530, New York, NY, 10006, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Echevarria D, Gutfraind A, Boodram B, Layden J, Ozik J, Page K, Cotler SJ, Major M, Dahari H. Modeling indicates efficient vaccine-based interventions for the elimination of hepatitis C virus among persons who inject drugs in metropolitan Chicago. Vaccine 2019; 37:2608-2616. [PMID: 30962092 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.02.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Persons who inject drugs (PWID) are at highest risk for acquiring and transmitting hepatitis C (HCV) infection. The recent availability of oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy with reported cure rates >90% can prevent HCV transmission, making HCV elimination an attainable goal among PWID. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently proposed a 90% reduction in HCV incidence as a key objective. However, given barriers to the use of DAAs in PWID, including cost, restricted access to DAAs, and risk of reinfection, combination strategies including the availability of effective vaccines are needed to eradicate HCV as a public health threat. This study aims to model the cost and efficacy of a dual modality approach using HCV vaccines combined with DAAs to reduce HCV incidence by 90% and prevalence by 50% in PWID populations. METHODS We developed a mathematical model that represents the HCV epidemic among PWID and calibrated it to empirical data from metropolitan Chicago, Illinois. Four medical interventions were considered: vaccination of HCV naive PWID, DAA treatment, DAA treatment followed by vaccination, and, a combination of vaccination and DAA treatment. RESULTS The combination of vaccination and DAAs is the lowest cost-expensive intervention for achieving the WHO target of 90% incidence reduction. The use of DAAs without a vaccine is much less cost-effective with the additional risk of reinfection after treatment. Vaccination of naïve PWID alone, even when scaled-up to all reachable PWID, cannot achieve 90% reduction of incidence in high-prevalence populations due to infections occurring before vaccination. Similarly, the lowest cost-expensive way to halve prevalence in 15 years is through the combination of vaccination and DAAs. CONCLUSIONS The modeling results underscore the importance of developing an effective HCV vaccine and augmenting DAAs with vaccines in HCV intervention strategies in order to achieve efficient reductions in incidence and prevalence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Desarae Echevarria
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University, Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Alexander Gutfraind
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University, Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Basmattee Boodram
- Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jennifer Layden
- Health Protection Office, Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jonathan Ozik
- Consortium for Advanced Science and Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Decision and Infrastructure Sciences, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Scott J Cotler
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University, Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Marian Major
- Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Harel Dahari
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University, Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Mittal ML, Jain S, Sun S, DeBeck K, Milloy MJ, Hayashi K, Hadland SE, Werb D. Opioid agonist treatment and the process of injection drug use initiation. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 197:354-360. [PMID: 30922483 PMCID: PMC6719710 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is an effective biomedical intervention to manage opioid use disorder among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Preliminary evidence suggests that OAT may also disrupt the social communicability of injection drug use (IDU) practices by established PWID. We therefore aim to investigate the association between OAT enrollment and initiating others into IDU among PWID in Vancouver, Canada. METHODS Preventing Injecting by Modifying Existing Responses (PRIMER; NIDA DP2-DA040256-01) is a prospective multi-cohort study seeking to identify structural interventions that reduce the risk that PWID initiate others into IDU. The present analysis was conducted using data from a participating cohort of PWID in Vancouver, Canada, between December 2014 and May 2017. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to assess the association between reporting active (i.e., within the past six months) OAT enrollment and assisting others in injection initiation. A final model was determined using a manual stepwise approach whereby covariates were excluded if their removal altered the coefficient of interest by <5%. RESULTS Participants (n = 1740) were predominantly male (62.3%); 35.1% reported daily injecting (n = 611); 860 (49.4%) reported active OAT enrollment, and 80 (4.6%) reported recently providing injection initiation assistance. In a multivariable model, participants who reported active OAT enrollment had significantly lower odds of recently providing injection initiation assistance (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 0.52, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.31-0.87, P = 0.01). CONCLUSION Results suggest a protective association between OAT and the expansion of IDU practices among vulnerable populations, suggesting its potential use as 'addiction treatment as prevention.'
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Luisa Mittal
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; School of Medicine, Universidad Xochicalco, Tijuana, Mexico
| | - Sonia Jain
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Shelly Sun
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kora DeBeck
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M J Milloy
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kanna Hayashi
- BC Centre on Substance Use, St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada; Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
| | - Scott E Hadland
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dan Werb
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Tsui JI, Miller CM, Scott JD, Corcorran MA, Dombrowski JC, Glick SN. Hepatitis C continuum of care and utilization of healthcare and harm reduction services among persons who inject drugs in Seattle. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 195:114-20. [PMID: 30611979 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To describe the "continuum of care" for hepatitis C virus (HCV) and related health service utilization among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in the Seattle metropolitan area. METHODS The study analyzed data from the 2015 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system focused on PWID, which included local questions on HCV treatment and testing. We calculated respondent driven sampling (RDS)-adjusted percentages of participants who had completed each step of the care continuum and compared healthcare harm reduction services among participants who were HCV + vs. HCV- using bivariate analyses. RESULTS 513 PWID were screened for HCV antibodies (Ab). Of those, 59.7% were HCV Ab+. Among those HCV Ab+, 86.4% had been tested for HCV at least once; 69.9% reported a previous diagnosis. Of those diagnosed, 55.9% had received a confirmatory test, 17.2% had ever received any medications for HCV, and 7.2% had completed treatment. The majority of HCV Ab + participants had seen a health care provider in the past 12 months (85.6%). CONCLUSIONS There is a large gap between HCV screening and treatment among Seattle area PWID.
Collapse
|
35
|
Des Jarlais DC, Arasteh K, Feelemyer J, McKnight C, Barnes DM, Perlman DC, Uuskula A, Cooper HLF, Tross S. Hepatitis C virus prevalence and estimated incidence among new injectors during the opioid epidemic in New York City, 2000-2017: Protective effects of non-injecting drug use. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 192:74-79. [PMID: 30243142 PMCID: PMC6206865 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.07.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Assess hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence and incidence among person who began injecting drugs during the opioid epidemic in New York City (NYC) and identify possible new directions for reducing HCV infection among persons who inject drugs. METHODS 846 persons who began injecting drugs between 2000 and 2017 were recruited from persons entering Mount Sinai Beth Israel substance use treatment programs. A structured interview was administered and HCV antibody testing conducted. Protective effects of non-injecting drug use were examined among persons who "reversed transitioned" to non-injecting drug use and persons who used non-injected heroin in addition to injecting. RESULTS Participants were 79% male, 41% White, 15% African-American, 40% Latinx, with a mean age of 35. Of those who began injecting in 2000 or later, 97 persons (11%) "reverse transitioned" back to non-injecting drug use. Reverse transitioning was strongly associated with lower HCV seroprevalence (30% versus 47% among those who continued injecting, p < 0.005). Among those who continued injecting, HCV seropositivity was inversely associated with current non-injecting heroin use (AOR = 0.72, 95%CI 0.52-0.99). HCV incidence among persons continuing to inject was estimated as 13/100 person-years. HCV seropositive persons currently injecting cocaine were particularly likely to report behavior likely to transmit HCV. CONCLUSIONS Similar to other locations in the US, NYC is experiencing high rates of HCV infection among persons who have begun injecting since 2000. New interventions that facilitate substitution of non-injecting for injecting drug use and that reduce transmission behavior among HCV seropositives may provide additional methods for reducing HCV transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
| | - K Arasteh
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - J Feelemyer
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - C McKnight
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - David M Barnes
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - David C Perlman
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - H L F Cooper
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Susan Tross
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
DeGroote NP, Mattson CL, Tie Y, Brooks JT, Garg S, Weiser J. Hepatitis A virus immunity and vaccination among at-risk persons receiving HIV medical care. Prev Med Rep 2018; 11:139-144. [PMID: 30003012 PMCID: PMC6040111 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
United States guidelines recommend hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccination for persons living with HIV (PLWH) who are at increased risk for HAV infection, including men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons who inject drugs (PWID). However, nationally representative estimates of vaccine coverage and immunity for this population are lacking. We used medical record and interview data from the 2009-2012 cycles of the Medical Monitoring Project, a nationally representative surveillance system of PLWH receiving HIV medical care in the United States, to estimate the prevalence of HAV immunity, defined as receipt of at least one dose of vaccine or laboratory documentation of anti-HAV antibodies, among 8695 MSM and PWID. Among HAV-nonimmune PLWH, we then examined factors associated with HAV vaccination during the 12-month retrospective observation period using Rao-Scott chi-square tests. Among MSM and PWID receiving HIV medical care, 64% had evidence of HAV immunity. Among those who were nonimmune, 10% were vaccinated during the 12-month retrospective observation period. Factors associated with vaccination during follow-up included younger age (i.e., 18-29 years), self-reported black non-Hispanic race/ethnicity, having detectable HIV RNA, and having been diagnosed with HIV within the past 5 years. Over one third of MSM and PWID receiving HIV medical care during 2009-2012 cycles were not immune to HAV. This analysis suggests that a sizeable proportion of at risk MSM and PWID receiving HIV medical care do not receive HAV vaccination, which is currently recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas P. DeGroote
- Oak Ridge for Science and Education, 1299 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| | - Christine L. Mattson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| | - Yunfeng Tie
- ICF International, 3 Corporate Blvd NE Suite 370, Atlanta, GA 30329, United States
| | - John T. Brooks
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| | - Shikha Garg
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| | - John Weiser
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Jarlais DD, Khue PM, Feelemyer J, Arasteh K, Huong DT, Oanh KTH, Giang HT, Thanh NTT, Vinh VH, Heckathorn DD, Moles JP, Vallo R, Quillet C, Rapoud D, Michel L, Laureillard D, Hammett T, Nagot N. Using dual capture/recapture studies to estimate the population size of persons who inject drugs (PWID) in the city of Hai Phong, Vietnam. Drug Alcohol Depend 2018; 185:106-111. [PMID: 29432973 PMCID: PMC5889732 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Good estimates of key population sizes are critical for appropriating resources to prevent HIV infection. We conducted two capture/recapture studies to estimate the number of PWID currently in Hai Phong, Vietnam. METHODS A 2014 respondent-driven sampling (RDS) survey served as one capture, and distribution of cigarette lighters at drug use "hotspots" in 2016 served as another "capture." A 2016 survey using RDS, conducted 1 week after lighter distribution, served as "recapture" for both captures. Recaptured participants in the two surveys were identified with a computerized fingerprint reader. Recaptured participants from the lighter distribution were asked to show their lighters. RESULTS 1385 participants were included in the "recapture" survey. They were 94% male and had a median age of 39. All (100%) injected heroin, and HIV prevalence was 30%. 144 of the 603 participants in the 2014 survey and 152 of the 600 PWID who had received lighters were "recaptured" in the 2016 survey. After adjusting for police suppression of drug use hotspots and conducting sensitivity analyses, our best estimate of the population size from the lighter recapture was 4617 (95% CI: 4090-5143), and our best estimate from the 2014 survey recapture was 5220 (95% CI: 4568-5872). A combined best estimate of the PWID population in Hai Phong is 5000, range 4000-6000. CONCLUSIONS The capture/recapture studies produced consistent estimates. Adding a lighter/token distribution to planned RDS surveys may provide an inexpensive method for estimating PWID population size. Analyses of the estimates should include contextual information about the local drug scene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don Des Jarlais
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway Suite 530, New York, NY 10006, USA
| | - Pham Minh Khue
- Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 72 Nguyen Binh Khiem,
Hai Phong, Vietnam
| | - Jonathan Feelemyer
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway Suite 530, New York, NY 10006, USA
| | - Kamyar Arasteh
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway Suite 530, New York, NY 10006, USA
| | - Duong Thi Huong
- Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 72 Nguyen Binh Khiem,
Hai Phong, Vietnam
| | - Khuat Thi Hai Oanh
- Supporting Community Development Initiatives, 240 Mai Anh Tuan,
Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hoang Thi Giang
- Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 72 Nguyen Binh Khiem,
Hai Phong, Vietnam
| | | | - Vu Hai Vinh
- Department of infectious and tropical diseases, Viet Tiep Hospital,
Hai Ba Trung, Cat Dai, Hai Phong Vietnam
| | | | - Jean Pierre Moles
- Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier,
163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, Montpellier, France
| | - Roselyne Vallo
- Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier,
163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, Montpellier, France
| | - Catherine Quillet
- Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier,
163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, Montpellier, France
| | - Delphine Rapoud
- Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier,
163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, Montpellier, France
| | - Laurent Michel
- Pierre Nicole Center, French Red Cross, 27 Rue Pierre Nicole, Paris,
France
| | - Didier Laureillard
- Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier,
163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, Montpellier, France,Infectious diseases department, Caremeau University Hospital, Rue du
Professeur Robert Debre, Nîmes, France
| | - Ted Hammett
- Abt Associates, 55 Wheeler Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nicolas Nagot
- Etablissement Français du Sang, University of Montpellier,
163 Rue Auguste Broussonnet, Montpellier, France
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Boodram B, Hotton AL, Shekhtman L, Gutfraind A, Dahari H. High-Risk Geographic Mobility Patterns among Young Urban and Suburban Persons who Inject Drugs and their Injection Network Members. J Urban Health 2018; 95:71-82. [PMID: 28875410 PMCID: PMC5862693 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-017-0185-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Young people in the USA who inject drugs, particularly those at a risk of residence instability, experience the highest incidence of hepatitis C (HCV) infections. This study examined associations between geographic mobility patterns and sociodemographic, behavioral, and social network characteristics of 164 young (ages 18-30) persons who inject drugs (PWID). We identified a potential bridge sub-population who reported residence in both urban and suburban areas in the past year (crossover transients) and higher-risk behaviors (receptive syringe sharing, multiple sex partners) compared to their residentially localized counterparts. Because they link suburban and urban networks, crossover transients may facilitate transmission of HIV and HCV between higher and lower prevalence areas. Interventions should address risk associated with residential instability, particularly among PWID who travel between urban and suburban areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basmattee Boodram
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, 1603 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Anna L Hotton
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, 1603 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Louis Shekhtman
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA.,Department of Physics, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Alexander Gutfraind
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Harel Dahari
- The Program for Experimental & Theoretical Modeling, Division of Hepatology, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Bouchard M, Hashimi S, Tsai K, Lampkin H, Jozaghi E. Back to the core: A network approach to bolster harm reduction among persons who inject drugs. Int J Drug Policy 2017; 51:95-104. [PMID: 29227844 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injecting drugs safely almost always includes the presence of one's social network, especially for the prevention of overdose. Yet, the systematic analysis of users' social networks has yet to be established as a focal method in harm reduction research, and interventions. METHODS This study draws from 200 interviews with persons who inject drugs recruited from North America's first sanctioned supervised injection facility and a drug user's advocacy group. Respondents were asked about the individuals they personally considered as facilitators of harm reduction, and the relations between them. Collectively, these 200 respondents provided over 900 individuals whom they considered as members of their harm reduction network. The aim was to locate individuals that would potentially make the network denser (harm reduction champions) and users that were situated in the "periphery" of the network, and in practice, further away from the harm reduction core. RESULTS Of the 1135 network members, 63 individuals formed the "core" of the harm reduction network, collectively reaching approximately 70% of individuals in the network. We also uncovered 31 individuals that acted as "articulation points"- these individuals were not as connected, but were more effective at reaching peripheral individuals. CONCLUSION Former or current injecting drug users that were sampled were surrounded by a relatively rich harm reduction network, but the network approach showed that only a minority of individuals were true harm reduction "champions". Recruitment of a combination of well-connected harm reduction champions, and strategically connected articulation points, would be most effective in planning network interventions that encourage harm reduction behaviors among this population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Bouchard
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Sadaf Hashimi
- Rutgers University, Center for Law and Justice, 123 Washington Street, Newark, NJ, 07102-309, United States
| | - Kristen Tsai
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Hugh Lampkin
- Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, 380 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1P4, Canada
| | - Ehsan Jozaghi
- School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada; BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Collier MG, Garfein RS, Cuevas-Mota J, Teshale EH. Comparison of Three Popular Methods for Recruiting Young Persons Who Inject Drugs for Interventional Studies. J Urban Health 2017; 94:587-91. [PMID: 28488087 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-017-0158-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Persons who inject drugs (PWID) are at risk for adverse health outcomes as a result of their drug use, and the resulting social stigma makes this a difficult population to reach for interventions aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality. During our study of adult PWID aged ≤40 years living in San Diego during 2009 and 2010, we compared three different sampling methods: respondent-driven sampling (RDS), venue-based sampling at one syringe exchange program (SEP), and street-based outreach. We compared demographic, socioeconomic, health, and behavioral factors and tested participants for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) and compared across the three methods. Overall, 561 (74.8%) of the targeted 750 PWID were enrolled. Venue-based convenience sampling enrolled 96% (242/250) of the targeted participants, followed closely by street-based outreach with 92% (232/250) recruited. While RDS yielded the fewest recruits, producing only 35% (87/250) of the expected participants, those recruited through RDS were more likely to be female, more racially diverse, and younger.
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
The history of harm reduction in the USA has led to the development of some of the most important methods for treating persons for drug use disorders, such as methadone and buprenorphine for opiate use disorder. However, there has been fierce political resistance to implementation and scale-up of harm reduction in the USA. This resistance is rooted in historical demonization of particular psychoactive drugs that were associated with stigmatized racial/ethnic groups.With the discovery of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1981, harm reduction became important not only for treating substance use disorders, but for reducing transmission of blood-borne infection. However, within the context of the crack cocaine epidemic in the 1980s, it was very difficult to implement any programs that appeared to "condone" drug use.It was not until the late 1980s that syringe exchange programs began at the state and local level in the USA. With funding primarily from state and local governments and the support of the North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN), there are now approximately 200 programs for syringe exchange in the USA. Research has shown that these programs have been extremely effective in reducing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among persons who inject drugs (PWID). The programs in the USA also offer many additional services for drug users, including condom distribution, referrals to substance abuse treatment, HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) counseling and testing, overdose education and naloxone distribution to reverse for overdose.Currently, the USA is experiencing an opioid/heroin epidemic, with significant increases in overdose deaths among drug users. Much of this epidemic is occurring in suburban and rural of the country without harm reduction services. The current challenges for harm reduction and harm reduction research involve expansion of services to suburban and rural areas and implementation science on how to effectively and efficiently address HCV transmission and overdose. Most importantly, continued research efforts are needed to reduce the stigma of psychoactive drug use. While political opposition continues, harm reduction activists and researchers have developed a highly effective partnership based on a common core values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- The Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 39 Broadway Suite 530, New York, NY, 10006, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Abstract
Persons who inject drugs (PWID) may be at risk of acquiring HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from risky sexual practices and elevated disease prevalence within their drug injection and sexual networks. We conducted a personal (egocentric) network study of young PWID (aged 18-30) from the Chicago metropolitan area. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations evaluated associations between individual and network factors and sexual behaviors. Of 162 participants, 116 (71.6 %) were non-Hispanic White and 135 reported on 314 sexual network members. Multiplexity-having network members with overlapping roles as injection and sexual partners-was associated with more condomless vaginal sex (aOR 5.55; 95 % CI 1.62-19.0) and anal sex (aOR 6.79; 95 % CI 2.49-18.5) and less exchange sex among women (aOR 0.12; 95 % CI 0.03-0.40), adjusting for sociodemographic and sexual network characteristics. The contribution of individual and sexual network factors to HIV/STI transmission among young PWID warrants further research.
Collapse
|
43
|
Kulesza M, Matsuda M, Ramirez JJ, Werntz AJ, Teachman BA, Lindgren KP. Towards greater understanding of addiction stigma: Intersectionality with race/ethnicity and gender. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 169:85-91. [PMID: 27792911 PMCID: PMC6040658 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In spite of the significant burden associated with substance use disorders, especially among persons who inject drugs (PWIDs), most affected individuals do not engage with any type of formal or informal treatment. Addiction stigma, which is represented by negative social attitudes toward individuals who use alcohol and/or other drugs, is one of the barriers to care that is poorly understood. The current study: a) assessed implicit (indirect and difficult to consciously control) and explicit (consciously controlled) beliefs about PWIDs among visitors to a public web site; and b) experimentally investigated the effects of ethnicity/race and gender on those implicit and explicit beliefs. METHODS N=899 predominantly White (70%) and women (62%) were randomly assigned to one of six target PWIDs conditions: gender (man/woman) x race/ethnicity (White, Black, Latino/a). Participants completed an Implicit Association Test and explicit assessment of addiction stigma. RESULTS Participants implicitly associated PWIDs (especially Latino/a vs. White PWIDs) with deserving punishment as opposed to help (p=0.003, d=0.31), indicating presence of addiction stigma-related implicit beliefs. However, this bias was not evident on the explicit measure (p=0.89). Gender did not predict differential implicit or explicit addiction stigma (p=0.18). CONCLUSIONS Contrary to explicit egalitarian views towards PWIDs, participants' implicit beliefs were more in line with addiction stigma. If replicated and clearer ties to behavior are established, results suggest the potential importance of identifying conditions under which implicit bias might influence behavior (even despite explicit egalitarian views) and increase the likelihood of discrimination towards PWIDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mauri Matsuda
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407, USA.
| | - Jason J Ramirez
- University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry, 1100 NE 45th Street, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| | - Alexandra J Werntz
- University of Virginia, Department of Psychology, 102 Gilmer Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
| | - Bethany A Teachman
- University of Virginia, Department of Psychology, 102 Gilmer Hall, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
| | - Kristen P Lindgren
- University of Washington, Department of Psychiatry, 1100 NE 45th Street, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Abstract
Syringe exchange programs (SEPs) are effective structural interventions for HIV prevention among persons who inject drugs. In 2000, a buffer zone policy (the 1000 Foot Rule) was implemented in Washington, DC, that prohibited SEP operations within 1000 feet of schools. We examined changes in the amount of legal SEP operational space over time. We used data pertaining to school operations and their approximate physical property boundaries to quantify the impact of the 1000 Foot Rule on legal SEP operational space from its implementation in 2000-2013. Adherence to the 1000 Foot Rule reduced SEP operational space by more than 50 % annually since its implementation. These findings demonstrate the significant restrictions on the amount of legal SEP operational space in Washington, DC, that are imposed by the 1000 Foot Rule. Changing this policy could have a significant impact on SEP service delivery among injectors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean T Allen
- Department of Prevention & Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St., Room E6534, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Monica S Ruiz
- Department of Prevention & Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, Suite 300, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Jeff Jones
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, PO Box 8015, Statesboro, GA, 30460, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Cooley LA, Wejnert C, Spiller MW, Broz D, Paz-Bailey G. Low HIV testing among persons who inject drugs-National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 20 U.S. cities, 2012. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 165:270-4. [PMID: 27323649 PMCID: PMC5134421 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Persons who inject drugs (PWID) continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. HIV testing is key to reducing HIV transmission by increasing awareness of HIV status and linking HIV-positive persons to care. Using data from PWID participating in CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) system, we examined prevalence of recent HIV testing among PWID by certain characteristics to guide interventions to increase HIV testing. METHODS We analyzed NHBS data from PWID 18 years or older recruited via respondent-driven sampling in 20 US cities in 2012. We examined demographic and behavioral factors associated with recent HIV testing (within 12 months before interview) using a Poisson model to calculate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs). RESULTS Of 9555 PWID, 53% had recently tested for HIV. In multivariable analysis, HIV testing was more frequent among participants who visited a healthcare provider (aPR 1.50, P<0.001), participated in alcohol or drug treatment (aPR 1.21, P<0.001), or received an HIV prevention intervention (aPR 1.26, P<0.001). HIV testing was also more frequent among participants who received free sterile syringes (aPR 1.12, P<0.001). DISCUSSION Only half of PWID participating in NHBS in 2012 reported recent HIV testing. HIV testing was more frequent among participants who accessed health and HIV prevention services. To increase HIV testing among PWID, it is important for providers in healthcare and HIV prevention settings to proactively assess risk factors for HIV, including injection drug use, and offer a wide range of appropriate interventions, such as HIV testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A. Cooley
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA,Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, MS-E46, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA,Corresponding author. (L.A. Cooley)
| | - Cyprian Wejnert
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Michael W. Spiller
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Dita Broz
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gabriela Paz-Bailey
- Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Jarlais DCD, Arasteh K, McKnight C, Feelemyer J, Hagan H, Cooper HLF, Campbell ANC, Tross S, Perlman DC. Providing ART to HIV Seropositive Persons Who Use Drugs: Progress in New York City, Prospects for "Ending the Epidemic". AIDS Behav 2016; 20:353-62. [PMID: 25731661 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1028-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
New York City has experienced the largest HIV epidemic among persons who use psychoactive drugs. We examined progress in placing HIV seropositive persons who inject drugs (PWID) and HIV seropositive non-injecting drug users (NIDU) onto antiretroviral treatment (ART) in New York City over the last 15 years. We recruited 3511 PWID and 3543 NIDU from persons voluntarily entering drug detoxification and methadone maintenance treatment programs in New York City from 2001 to 2014. HIV prevalence declined significantly among both PWID and NIDU. The percentage who reported receiving ART increased significantly, from approximately 50 % (2001-2005) to approximately 75 % (2012-2014). There were no racial/ethnic disparities in the percentages of HIV seropositive persons who were on ART. Continued improvement in ART uptake and TasP and maintenance of other prevention and care services should lead to an "End of the AIDS Epidemic" for persons who use heroin and cocaine in New York City.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Don C Des Jarlais
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, 160 Water Street FL 24, New York, NY, 10038, USA.
| | - Kamyar Arasteh
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, 160 Water Street FL 24, New York, NY, 10038, USA
| | - Courtney McKnight
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, 160 Water Street FL 24, New York, NY, 10038, USA
| | - Jonathan Feelemyer
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, 160 Water Street FL 24, New York, NY, 10038, USA
| | - Holly Hagan
- College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hannah L F Cooper
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rolling School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Susan Tross
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - David C Perlman
- Baron Edmond de Rothschild Chemical Dependency Institute, Mount Sinai Beth Israel, 160 Water Street FL 24, New York, NY, 10038, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Abstract
Prior research has explored spatial access to syringe exchange programs (SEPs) among persons who inject drugs (PWID), but these studies have been based on limited data from short periods of time. No research has explored changes in spatial access to SEPs among PWID longitudinally. The purpose of this research is to examine spatial access to SEPs among PWID who accessed services at a SEP in Washington, District of Columbia (DC), from 1996 to 2010. The geometric point distance estimation technique was used to calculate the mean walking distance PWID traveled from the centroid point of their zip code of home residence to the mobile exchange site where they accessed SEP services. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences in walking distance measures by year. The results of this research suggest that the distance DC PWID traveled to access SEP services remained relatively constant (approximately 2.75 mi) from 2003 to 2008, but increased to just over 4 mi in 2010. This research provides support for expanding SEP operations such that PWID have increased access to their services. Increasing SEP accessibility may help resolve unmet needs among injectors.
Collapse
|
48
|
Boodram B, Mackesy-Amiti ME, Latkin C. The role of social networks and geography on risky injection behaviors of young persons who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 154:229-35. [PMID: 26169447 PMCID: PMC4797638 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about young persons who inject drugs (PWID), who are increasingly from suburban communities and predominantly non-Hispanic white. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional personal network (egocentric) and geographic study of young PWID and their drug-using, sexual, and support network members in 2012-13 in metropolitan Chicago, Illinois, U.S. RESULTS We enrolled 164 young (median age=26), mostly male (65%), non-Hispanic white PWID (71%), with a self-reported HCV prevalence of 13%. Many (59%) reported multiple residences (i.e., were transient) in the past year, 45% of whom reported living in both urban and suburban places (i.e., were cross-over transients). In multivariable analyses that adjusted for participant and network member characteristics, (1) large injection networks were more common among homeless participants; and (2) syringe sharing was (a) highest among cross-over transients compared to suburban (OR=4.19 95% CI 1.69-10.35) and urban only residents (OR=2.91 95% CI 1.06-8.03), (b) higher among HCV-unknown compared HCV-negative participants (OR=4.62 95% CI 1.69-10.35), (c) more likely with network members who were cross-over transients compared to urban (OR=4.94, 95% CI 2.17-11.23) and (d) less likely with network members with HCV-unknown compared to HCV-negative status (OR=0.4 95% CI 0.19-0.84). CONCLUSIONS We identified homelessness as a significant risk factor for large networks and cross-over transience as a significant risk factor for syringe sharing. Further research is needed to understand the role of geographic factors promoting higher risk among these crossover transient PWID.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Basmattee Boodram
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, M/C 923, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Mary-Ellen Mackesy-Amiti
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1603 West Taylor Street, M/C 923, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Carl Latkin
- Department of Epidemiology & Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N, Broadway, Hampton House 737, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Siddiqui SS, Armenta RF, Evans JL, Yu M, Cuevas-Mota J, Page K, Davidson P, Garfein RS. Effect of legal status of pharmacy syringe sales on syringe purchases by persons who inject drugs in San Francisco and San Diego, CA. Int J Drug Policy 2015; 26:1150-7. [PMID: 26252980 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2014] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sharing blood-contaminated syringes is the main risk factor for acquiring and transmitting blood-borne infections among persons who inject drugs (PWID). To reduce this risk, in 2005, California enacted legislation allowing local health jurisdictions to legalize non-prescription syringe sales after approving a disease prevention demonstration project (DPDP). With San Francisco approving a DPDP immediately and San Diego never approving one, we compared PWID across cities for their use of pharmacies PWID to obtain syringes. METHODS PWID age 18-30 years old were recruited into separate studies in San Francisco (n=243) and San Diego (n=338) between 2008 and 2011. We used multivariable logistic regression to compare the proportions of PWID who obtained syringes from pharmacies by city while controlling for sociodemographics, injection practices and other risk behaviors. RESULTS Overall, most PWID were White (71%), male (63%), and between the ages of 18-25 years (55%). Compared to San Francisco, a smaller proportion of PWID in San Diego had bought syringes from pharmacies in the prior three months (16.9% vs. 49.8%; p<0.001), which remained statistically significant after adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral factors (adjusted odds ratio=4.45, 95% confidence interval: 2.98, 6.65). CONCLUSIONS Use of pharmacies to obtain syringes was greater where it was legal to do so. Public health policy can influence HIV and hepatitis C associated risk among PWID; however, implementation of these policies is crucial for the benefits to be realized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saira S Siddiqui
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Richard F Armenta
- Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer L Evans
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Yu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jazmine Cuevas-Mota
- Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kimberly Page
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Peter Davidson
- Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Richard S Garfein
- Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Collier MG, Drobeniuc J, Cuevas-Mota J, Garfein RS, Kamili S, Teshale EH. Hepatitis A and B among young persons who inject drugs--vaccination, past, and present infection. Vaccine 2015; 33:2808-12. [PMID: 25889161 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our study aims were to assess hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) susceptibility and infection among young persons who inject drugs (PWID) who may have been vaccinated as children and to evaluate self-report of HAV and HBV vaccination. METHODS We recruited PWID aged 18-40 years-old in San Diego during 2009 and 2010 and collected demographic, socioeconomic, health, and behavioral factors. Participants were asked if they had been vaccinated against HAV and HBV, and serum samples were collected for HAV and HBV serologic testing. RESULTS Of 519 participants, 365 (72%) were male, 252 (49%) were white non-Hispanic, 38 (7%) were Black non-Hispanic, 138 (27%) were White Hispanic, and 22 (4%) were born outside the U. S. Of the total participants, 245 (47%) had surface hepatitis B antibody (anti-HBs) titers <10mIU/ml (i.e., HBV susceptible) and 325 (63%) had no detectable HAV antibodies (HAV susceptible). Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in 7 (1%) of total participants; and 135 (26%) were anti-HCV-antibody positive. Compared to serologic findings, self-report of HBV and HAV vaccination was 71% and 41% sensitive, and 58% and 73% specific, respectively. CONCLUSION HAV and HBV antibodies in half or more of this young PWID population did not have levels indicative of protection, and about a quarter had HCV infection, putting them at risk for complications resulting from co-infection with HAV or HBV. Programs serving this population should vaccinate PWIDs against HAV and HBV and not rely on self-report of vaccination.
Collapse
|