Exploring the Perceived Risks and Benefits of Heroin Use among Young People (18–24 Years) in Mauritius: Economic Insights from an Exploratory Qualitative Study

Abstract

The decreasing age of young people injecting illicit drugs is an under-reported challenge for the prevention of HIV transmission worldwide. Young people aged 15–24 years represent 1 in 5 persons living with HIV in Mauritius where the epidemic is driven by injecting drug use and risky sexual behaviours. We recruited 22 heroin users aged 18–24 and 5 service providers working in harm reduction (HR) for the present study. Qualitative data were collected through unstructured interviews. We adopted an economic framework and an inductive approach to the analysis, which implied revising codes and themes. The risks heroin users described as consumers of illicit drugs and as clients of HR services could not be analyzed in isolation. Polydrug use emerged as a recurrent coping mechanism resulting from the changing dynamics within the heroin market. The risks faced by women went beyond addiction and infection with HIV. How participants viewed the risks and benefits linked to using heroin was greatly influenced by gaps in knowledge that left room for uncertainty and reinforcing mechanisms such as peer influence. The study shows that qualitative research can produce in-depth socio-behavioural insights required to produce more effective services for young people.

Socioeconomic and psychosocial determinants of substance misuse – a national perspective

“…Reluctance to engage with health care services also contributes significantly to a lack of knowledge of blood-borne diseases among PWID. Inadequate knowledge of the health risks may also contribute to the initiation of drug injection [68]. Several studies have highlighted inadequate knowledge about sterilization practices required to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases among PWID [69,70].…”

“…In a cohort of homeless individuals injecting drugs, limited awareness of the health risks was evident, as well as steps taken to mitigate risk given their limited circumstances [69]. It has also been shown that a small proportion of heroin users may combine heroin with other drugs which may also increase risks [68].…”

“…There are also perceived risks related to factors external to injecting drug use, such as the risk of being arrested for possession, lack of affordability, and social isolation [68]. Interestingly, the social factors cited by heroin users that seem to be more influential in discouraging injection are negative observations made of friends, family, and/or partners [66].…”