Indigenous Australians who inject drugs: results from a Brisbane study

Injecting drug use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people has recently generated considerable concern in communities and by public health services and planners. However, there has been almost no research on the use of illicit drugs by indigneous people. This study is the first step in filling this information gap. Through a process of extensive community consultation the important issues were identified and a culturally appropriate research method was developed. A questionnaire was administered by peer interviewers to 77 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who had injected an illegal drug in the past 12 months and who lived in the Brisbane metropolitan area. Speed is the most commonly injected drug but 56% had tried heroin and for about one-third of the sample it was the last drug injected. Sharing injecting equipment is common in this group, with 39% reporting that they had shared a needle in the past month; among participants under 20 years old the percentage rises to 63. Youth and/or inexperience is also associated with unsafe needle disposal and having never personally obtained injecting equipment from a chemist or needle exchange. There is widespread ignorance about safe procedures for cleaning needles. Knowledge about HIV/AIDS is not universal and less than one-quarter personally know someone living with HIV/AIDS; 67% rank their own chances of becoming infected with HIV as very low or low. The results have been used to develop programmes and strategies for harm reduction locally. \[Larson A, Shannon C, Eldridge C. Indigenous Australians who inject drugs: results from a Bristoane study. Drug Alcohol Rev 1999;18:53-62]     

Distributive syringe sharing among young adult injection drug users in five U.S. cities

Blood-borne pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are transmitted most commonly among injection drug users (IDUs) through the sharing of needles and syringes. Distributive syringe sharing (DSS) (i.e., passing on a used needle/syringe to another IDU) poses the potential risk of transmitting HIV and viral hepatitis to others. We studied the prevalence and correlates of DSS among IDUs enrolled in a randomized behavioral intervention trial designed to reduce behaviors associated with HIV and HCV transmission in five U.S. cities. Among 3129 IDUs ages 15-30 years who completed the baseline visit, 1432 (45.8%) engaged in DSS during the 3 months prior to baseline. Significant correlates of DSS were perception that peer norms condone needle sharing, frequent injection, not obtaining most syringes from needle exchange programs or pharmacies, injecting most frequently in shooting galleries and with sex partners, low perceived risk of HIV from sharing syringes, increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and having unprotected sex. Restricting to only those IDUs who reported not injecting with previously used syringes, similar independent correlates of DSS were found. These findings suggest that interventions to reduce ongoing transmission of blood-borne infections should focus on altering peer norms among networks of young IDUs.     

HIV risk exposure of injecting drug users in Sydney

One thousand two hundred and forty-five Sydney injecting drug users (IDUs) were interviewed by questionnaire in 1989 to determine demographic and behavioural characteristics. One-sixth (16.7%) were considered to be at low risk of HIV from either needle sharing or sexual transmission as they had either never shared injecting equipment, or had not shared for years, or cleaned their injecting equipment effectively on 100% of the occasions when they did share; and were either celibate or monogamous or, if they had multiple partners, had not had unsafe sex in the previous 6 months. Over half (50.7%) had either unsafe injecting or sexual behaviour with the remaining third (32.6%) engaging in both unsafe injecting and sexual practises. Women were more at risk from sharing injection equipment than men but men were more at risk from sexual transmission than women. Increasing age was associated with greater likelihood of safer sex but age had no effect on injecting practises. There was no relationship between unsafe injecting and sexual practises. Amphetamine use was associated with low risk injecting practises while heroin use was associated with low risk sexual transmission. These findings indicate appreciable residual risk behaviour sufficient to allow for at least a slow diffusion of HIV among injecting drug users.     

Risk factors for HIV infection among drug injectors in southern Thailand

BACKGROUND: To determine HIV sero-prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection among injecting drug users (IDU) in southern Thailand. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional HIV sero-prevalence and behavioral survey, 272 active IDU were interviewed about background, life-style, drug use patterns, and sexual behaviors at six drug-treatment clinics in southern Thailand. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent reported lifetime needle sharing; 96% had tried HIV risk-reduction by either stopping/decreasing visits to sex workers and/or stopping/decreasing needle sharing. Only 5% knew that bleaching needles could reduce transmission risks. Overall, 51% tested HIV-positive (43% ethnic Thai vs. 64% ethnic Malay). HIV seropositivity among ethnic Thai was independently correlated with past history of needle sharing (OR 6.95; 1.89-25.58), injecting immediately at drug onset (OR 2.53; 1.25-5.13), and starting first injection at younger age (OR 2.61; 1.31-5.22). Injecting immediately at drug onset (OR 4.32; 1.23-15.14) and not carrying new needles (OR 4.47; 1.27-15.69) were risk factors among minority ethnic Malay. CONCLUSION: A high rate of HIV infection persists among southern-Thai IDU. HIV-infected individuals may act as a bridge of HIV transmission to their sex partners. AIDS prevention efforts should more intensely focus on minority ethnic Malays, discouraging needle sharing and increasing protected sex with regular sexual partners.     

Social Context of Needle Selling in Baltimore,Maryland

Although much of the debate surrounding the distribution of sterile syringes to injection drug users (IDUs) has focused on needle exchange programs (NEPs), IDUs acquire their syringes from three major sources: NEPs, pharmacies, and secondary exchangers or needle sellers. The purpose of the present study is to examine types and frequencies of social interactions among drug injectors who sell needles, most of which come from NEPs, compared with individuals who do not sell needles. Specifically, we compared engagement in drug-related behaviors, roles in the drug economy, and social network membership. Data were collected as part of the SHIELD study, an HIV prevention intervention targeted at drug users and their social networks (n = 910) from February 2001 through September 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland (USA). In this sample, 56 participants reported selling needles. Needle sellers had higher levels of engagement in drug-related social interactions, including using drugs with others, giving or receiving drugs from others, and buying drugs with other users. Participants who sold needles had a significantly higher number of roles in the drug economy. Also, they had more social network members who were injectors, with whom they talked about risky drug behaviors, gave needles to, and shared cookers and bleach with. Compared with nonselling injectors, needle sellers engage in HIV risk-related behaviors, such as injecting daily and sharing injection equipment, more frequently. The study's findings may be useful to determine whether secondary exchangers should be targeted for HIV prevention activities both to reduce their own risk and to diffuse risk reduction information throughout the drug using community.     

Social context of needle selling in Baltimore, Maryland

Although much of the debate surrounding the distribution of sterile syringes to injection drug users (IDUs) has focused on needle exchange programs (NEPs), IDUs acquire their syringes from three major sources: NEPs, pharmacies, and secondary exchangers or needle sellers. The purpose of the present study is to examine types and frequencies of social interactions among drug injectors who sell needles, most of which come from NEPs, compared with individuals who do not sell needles. Specifically, we compared engagement in drug-related behaviors, roles in the drug economy, and social network membership. Data were collected as part of the SHIELD study, an HIV prevention intervention targeted at drug users and their social networks (n=910) from February 2001 through September 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland (USA). In this sample, 56 participants reported selling needles. Needle sellers had higher levels of engagement in drug-related social interactions, including using drugs with others, giving or receiving drugs from others, and buying drugs with other users. Participants who sold needles had a significantly higher number of roles in the drug economy. Also, they had more social network members who were injectors, with whom they talked about risky drug behaviors, gave needles to, and shared cookers and bleach with. Compared with nonselling injectors, needle sellers engage in HIV risk-related behaviors, such as injecting daily and sharing injection equipment, more frequently. The study's findings may be useful to determine whether secondary exchangers should be targeted for HIV prevention activities both to reduce their own risk and to diffuse risk reduction information throughout the drug using community.     

Transition to injection and sharing of needles/syringes: potential for HIV transmission among heroin users in Chengdu, China

This cross-sectional survey interviewed heroin injectors admitted in three detoxification centres from August 2003 to June 2004 in Chengdu City, China. Logistic regression and survival analysis were performed to identify factors associated with sharing of needles/syringes and time from initiation of heroin to adoption of injection, respectively. Out of 266 subjects studied, 206 (77.44%) were males, 103 (38.72%) never shared injecting materials, 113 (42.48%) were non-Chengdu residents and 9 (3.38%) belonged to ethnic minorities. Those with short history of heroin injection (P<0.05) and those belonged to ethnic minorities (P<0.05) were more likely to share injecting materials. Only age, ethnicity and duration of heroin use were associated with time to first injection. Median time to injection was 6 months for those who used heroin for the duration up to 1 year and 21 months for those who used heroin for 2-5 years. The study suggests that there is early initiation of injection and sharing of injecting materials is high among heroin users, a major risk for HIV transmission. Ethnic minorities have been identified to be the most risky group, which needs further attention.     

Social support and zero sharing risk among hazardously drinking injection drug users

We compared the sociodemographic, drug use, and social support characteristics of injection drug users (IDUs) who reported at least 6 months having not "shared needles or works" (zero sharing risk) with those who reported recent equipment sharing. 187 AUDIT-positive (>8), active IDUs were recruited between February 1998 and October 1999 from a needle exchange program in Providence, RI. The sample was 64% male and 87% white, with a mean age of 36 years, and 32% of subjects reported zero sharing risk in the prior 6 months. Variables having significant (P<.05) associations with zero sharing risk included: older age, lower heroin use frequency, lower cocaine use, and increased frequency of needle exchange visits. As social support from friends increased, the likelihood of sharing decreased. Subjects with substance-using friends or partners were significantly more likely to share than those without such associations (OR = 9.4; P<.05). Social support and social network composition influenced sharing behaviors in active, out-of-treatment drug injectors. Interventions that mobilize social support may increase the possibility of zero sharing, an important public health goal.     

Correlates of HIV transmission risk factors and considerations for interventions in homeless,chemically addicted and mentally ill patients

A study was conducted to ascertain correlates of HIV high risk behaviors and attitudes toward HIV. A questionnaire was administered to 103 men living in a modified therapeutic community (TC) for homeless, chemically addicted and mentally ill men. The psychiatric diagnoses of the sample population included psychotic disorders (48%), depressive disorders (36%), and bipolar disorders (16%). Forty-two percent reported that their primary substance of abuse was cocaine and another 40% named alcohol as the substance to which they were most addicted. Two logistic regression analyses were conducted, one with needle sharing as the outcome measure and one with endorsement of the need for lifestyle changes to reduce risk of HIV transmission. Cocaine users were 3.4 times more likely to have shared needles than the rest of the sample. Patients who had a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were 17 times more likely to endorse the need for lifestyle changes. The level of HIV transmission knowledge was unrelated to HIV risk behaviors or attitudes.     

Correlates of injection drug use among female sex workers in two Mexico-U.S. border cities

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the overlap between injection drug use and sex work by women in Tijuana and Cd. Juarez, situated on the Mexico-U.S. border. METHODS: FSWs aged > or =18 years who were not knowingly HIV-positive and reported having unprotected sex with > or =1 client in the prior 2 months underwent interviews and testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia. Logistic regression identified factors associated with injecting drugs within the last month. RESULTS: Of 924 FSWs, 18.0% had ever injected drugs. Among FSW-IDUs (N=114), prevalence of HIV, syphilis titers > or =1:8, gonorrhea and Chlamydia was significantly higher at 12.3%, 22.7%, 15.2% and 21.2% compared to 4.8%, 13.1%, 5.2% and 11.9% among other FSWs (N=810). FSW-IDUs also had more clients in the past 6 months (median: 300 versus 240, p=0.02). Factors independently associated with injecting drugs in the past month included living in Tijuana, being younger, being married/common-law, longer duration in the sex trade, speaking English, earning less for sex without condoms, often using drugs before sex, and knowing other FSWs who injected drugs. CONCLUSIONS: FSW-IDUs had higher STI levels, engaged in riskier behaviors and were more vulnerable to having unsafe sex with clients compared to other FSWs, indicating that this subgroup is an important bridge population requiring focused prevention.     

Prevalence and Correlates of Needle-Sharing Among New and Long-Term Injection Drug Users in Southwest China

Three community-based surveys recruited 4,310 injection drug users (IDUs) in China from 2004 to 2006. Of the participants, 54.4% were ≤3-year new IDUs; 63.9% reported injecting more than two times daily; 31.5% shared needles in the last six months; 37.4% shared equipments in the last month; 30.2% reported their regular sex partners injected drugs; and 23.5% had commercial sex, with 52.2% reporting no condom use during last sex. The risky injection practices (sharing needles/equipments and high injection frequency) were less frequent among new IDUs, emphasizing that effective prevention needs to identify and intervene with IDUs early on. The study's limitations are noted.     

Correlates of sharing injection equipment among male injecting drug users in Kathmandu, Nepal

BackgroundHIV prevalence is high and risky injection practices occur frequently among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Nepal. We explored the correlates of sharing injection equipment (having injected with a needle or syringe previously used by another) among male IDUs in Kathmandu, Nepal.MethodsFrom August to September 2007, we anonymously interviewed 296 male IDUs in Kathmandu, Nepal, using a structured questionnaire. We performed bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis and identified variables associated with sharing injection equipment.ResultsOver half (n = 152) of the participants reported injecting drugs with a needle or syringe previously used by another in the past year. Of these, 70% reported engaging in sharing injection equipment with multiple persons. The unavailability of new needles and drinking alcohol were independently associated with sharing injection equipment among the study participants.ConclusionsIDUs who drank alcohol or who could not obtain new needles when needed were more likely to share injection equipment. Our results suggest that reducing alcohol use and increasing the availability of new needles and syringes might improve safer injection practices among male IDUs in Kathmandu, Nepal.     

Drug use and HIV risk-taking behaviour among clients in methadone maintenance treatment.

Current drug use and HIV risk-taking behaviour of a sample of 95 methadone maintenance clients was investigated. Subjects had been on their current programme for an average of 70.9 weeks with a mean daily dose of methadone of 65.6 mg. Two-thirds had injected heroin, and 82% had injected a street drug in the month prior to interview. Over 20% of subjects had shared a needle in the month before interview, all with only one other person. Subjects who had injected cocaine in the month before interview had significantly higher levels of injecting risk-taking behaviour than those subjects who had injected but not used cocaine. Condom use among subjects was low, particularly in regular relationships. While knowledge concerning HIV was high among subjects, there was no relation between level of knowledge and actual behaviour. It is concluded that knowledge alone is not sufficient to ensure behaviour change.     

南宁市吸毒人群婚外性行为现状及影响因素分析

目的:了解南宁市吸毒人群婚外性行为现状,分析其影响因素。方法:采用匿名填写问卷的方式,对来自社区和戒毒所的781名吸毒人员进行艾滋病预防知识和行为调查。结果:当地吸毒人群最近一年与临时性伴、商业性伴发生性关系的比例分别达到了40.1%和15.0%。男性、低年龄组、非在婚状态的吸毒者发生婚外性行为的水平较高;有共用针具行为的吸毒者与临时性伴、商业性伴发生性关系的水平均明显高于不共用针具者。分别有47.6%、37.6%的吸毒人员在与临时性伴、商业性伴发生性关系时从不使用安全套。对与临时性伴发生性关系的多因素Lgistic回归分析显示,性别、年龄、婚姻状况、是否与他人共用过注射器、艾滋病预防知识得分是具有统计学显著意义的影响因素。对与商业性伴发生性关系的多因素Lgistic回归分析显示,性别、首次注射吸毒年龄、是否与他人共用过注射器是具有统计学显著意义的影响因素。结论:稳定的婚姻关系有助于减少吸毒人员与临时性伴发生性关系,但是无助于减少与商业性伴的性行为;共用注射器是增加吸毒人群与临时性伴、商业性伴发生性关系的影响因素;掌握艾滋病预防知识并不能减少吸毒人群的婚外性行为,在加强艾滋病防治知识宣教的同时,更加要侧重于行为的干预。     

新疆乌鲁木齐市劳教所部分吸毒者艾滋病知识知晓及行为调查

目的:了解乌鲁木齐市劳教场所中吸毒人员艾滋病知识知晓情况及行为特征。方法:在乌鲁木齐市劳教场所吸毒人员中抽查249名戒毒人员,调查其艾滋病知识知晓情况,人口学特征、吸毒方式和频率、口吸和静脉吸毒时间、共用注射器情况、性行为特征和安全套的使用情况等。结果:249名被调查者初次口吸吸毒年龄12-32(21.51±s4.18)a,初次静脉注射毒品的年龄为15-36(23.16±s4.25)a,口吸时间5.49a±s3.69a,从口吸到静脉注射的时间为1.57a±s2.79a;静脉注射毒品的时间为5.26a±s3.58a;分别有44.2%和59.8%的人在最初静脉注射毒品和调查前一个月未共用注射器注射毒品;性生活中全程使用安全套的仅占14.4%,从未使用安全套者多达62.4%。对艾滋病的知晓情况:88.0%认为艾滋病是一种严重致命的传染病;对艾滋病的血液及血液制品传播、共用注射器和针具、性传播及母婴传播这些基本传播途径正确认知率较高。结论:通过宣传教育活动共用注射器注射毒品情况减少;但注射毒品者中的安全套使用率很低,今后应加强这方面的宣传活动。     

Injection behaviors among injection drug users in treatment: the role of hepatitis C awareness

Background

Injection drug use (IDU) is a primary vector for blood-borne infections. Awareness of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status may affect risky injection behaviors. This study determines the prevalence of risky injection practices and examines associations between awareness of positive HCV status and risky injection behaviors.

Methods

We surveyed individuals seeking treatment for substance use at 12 community treatment programs as part of a national HIV screening trial conducted within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. Participants reported socio-demographic characteristics, substance use, risk behaviors, and HCV status. We used multivariable logistic regression to test associations between participant characteristics and syringe/needle sharing.

Results

The 1281 participants included 244 (19.0%) individuals who reported injecting drugs in the past 6 months and 37.7% of IDUs reported being HCV positive. During the six months preceding baseline assessment, the majority of IDUs reported obtaining sterile syringes from pharmacies (51.6%) or syringe exchange programs (25.0%), but fewer than half of IDUs always used a sterile syringe (46.9%). More than one-third (38.5%) shared syringe/needles with another injector in the past 6 months. Awareness of positive HCV vs. negative/unknown status was associated with increased recent syringe/needle sharing (aOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.15, 4.88) in multivariable analysis.

Conclusions

Risky injection behaviors remain prevalent and awareness of HCV infection was associated with increased risky injection behaviors. New approaches are needed to broadly implement HCV prevention interventions for IDUs seeking addiction treatment.     

Benzodiazepine use and HIV risk-taking behaviour among injecting drug users.

This paper examines the prevalence of benzodiazepine use, and its relationship to other drug use and HIV risk-taking among a sample of 1245 injecting drug users (IDU). Approximately a third (36.6%) of the sample had used benzodiazepines during their last typical month of injecting. Benzodiazepine users had injected more frequently, injected more heroin and amphetamines, and had more poly-drug use than other IDU. They also had higher levels of HIV risk-taking, having shared injecting equipment more frequently and with more people. There were no differences between groups in number of sexual partners or condom use, although benzodiazepine users were more likely to have been paid for sex. The demographic and drug use variables indicate that benzodiazepine users are a more dysfunctional subgroup of IDU who require particular attention in HIV interventions.     

Drug use and the risk of HIV infection amongst injection drug users participating in an HIV vaccine trial in Bangkok, 1999–2003

BackgroundHIV spread rapidly amongst injecting drug users (IDUs) in Bangkok in the late 1980s. In recent years, changes in the drugs injected by IDUs have been observed. We examined data from an HIV vaccine trial conducted amongst IDUs in Bangkok during 1999–2003 to describe drug injection practices, drugs injected, and determine if drug use choices altered the risk of incident HIV infection.MethodsThe AIDSVAX B/E HIV vaccine trial was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. At enrolment and every 6 months thereafter, HIV status and risk behaviour were assessed. A proportional hazards model was used to evaluate demographic characteristics, incarceration, drug injection practices, sexual activity, and drugs injected during follow-up as independent predictors of HIV infection.ResultsThe proportion of participants injecting drugs, sharing needles, and injecting daily declined from baseline to month 36. Amongst participants who injected, the proportion injecting heroin declined (98.6–91.9%), whilst the proportions injecting methamphetamine (16.2–19.6%) and midazolam (9.9–31.9%) increased. HIV incidence was highest amongst participants injecting methamphetamine, 7.1 (95% CI, 5.4–9.2) per 100 person years. Injecting heroin and injecting methamphetamine were independently associated with incident HIV infection.ConclusionsAmongst AIDSVAX B/E vaccine trial participants who injected drugs during follow-up, the proportion injecting heroin declined whilst the proportion injecting methamphetamine, midazolam, or combinations of these drugs increased. Controlling for heroin use and other risk factors, participants injecting methamphetamine were more likely to become HIV-infected than participants not injecting methamphetamine. Additional HIV prevention tools are urgently needed including tools that address methamphetamine use.     

Dominant Situational Determinants of Needle Sharing in Injecting Drug Users

The aim of this study was to assess the importance of situational, social and psychological contextual factors in injecting drug users' (IDUs) decisions concerning HIV risk behavior. The sample included 84 IDUs recruited in Sydney, Australia. A computer game-like format was used to generate hypothetical injecting events. Levels of situational factors were varied randomly between situations. These included needle availability, bleach availability, craving, how well known potential sharing partners were, previous sharing, privacy of site and the degree to which individuals were high drunk or stoned. Responses to choices in each injecting event included the likelihood of sharing in each situation, the frequency with which they had experienced the hypothetical situation in real life, and their satisfaction with their response. Canonical correlation analysis indicated that the association between situational influences and choice variables accounted for 87.78% of the variance. Sharing needles was negatively related to decision satisfaction and experience with an actual situation indicating that users had internalized HIV preventive norms and were not likely to share on a normal basis. Choices about needle sharing were primarily constrained by the trade-off between needle availability and craving while social factors played a secondary role. The probability of sharing increased as other people present were better known and previous sharing history increased. This pattern of results suggest that while needle exchanges will be effective, they may fail to reach their full potential unless factors related to substance use and social context are also addressed. The current methodology appeared to be a useful tool for studying the influence of the context of injecting events on behavior.     

Client satisfaction and risk behaviours of the users of syringe dispensing machines: a pilot study

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The study examines risk behaviours of the users of syringe dispensing machines (SDMs) and evaluates the usefulness of these machines in providing injecting drug users (IDUs) with sterile injecting equipment. DESIGN AND METHODS: Self-administered questionnaires were used among users of SDMs in an Area Health Service of Sydney. RESULTS: The majority of the 167 participants reported being happy with the quality of the SDM services. Problems identified with machines were that they were often broken or jammed (32.8% respondents), not in the right place (21.9%) or require money (16.7%). Just over half (50.9%) of the IDUs use SDMs only from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., the time when almost all other outlets for accessing sterile injecting equipment remain closed. Relatively young IDUs (age < or = 30 years) were more likely to prefer SDMs over staffed needle syringe programmes (NSPs) compared with older users (age > 30) and to identify stigma (a desire to hide their identity or not liking the way people treat them at staffed NSPs or chemists) as a main reason for using these machines. Primary users of SDMs do not differ from primary users of NSP/chemists in terms of sharing of needles. Those users who had shared in the last month were nearly four times as likely to have never used condoms in sexual encounters over that period (95% confidence interval: 1.2 - 14.5). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: SDMs appear to complement other outlets of NSPs. Providing free-of-cost equipment from SDMs should be considered carefully, as needing money to buy equipment was a reason given for sharing of needles by 35% of those who shared.