Longitudinal changes in injection behaviors in a cohort of injection drug users

Abstract

To determine how the injecting behaviors of injection drug users (IDUs) change over time in the context of the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and what factors may be associated with such changes, a cohort of IDUs (n = 313) initially in treatment provided structured interviews regarding drug injecting behaviors. Repeat interviews in 18 months assessed behavior change in subjects who could be contacted for follow-up (n = 220, 70.3%). The study occurred in a state where sterile syringes can be purchased without prescription in drug stores. Injection drug use occurred for 180 (81.8%) of the 220 subjects in the 12 months prior to the initial interview but in only 121 (55.0%) in the 10 months prior to the follow-up interview (p < 0.0001). Similarly, sharing of equipment decreased from 63.1% to 31.8% (p < 0.0001). Sharing with multiple partners declined from 41.9% to 10.6% (p < 0.0001). Factors associated with ongoing risk included use of injected and non-injected psychoactive substances, less time in drug dependence treatment during follow-up interval, having a sexual partner who was an IDU and not using a drug store as the primary source of syringes. Factors associated with multiple-partner sharing included use of psychoactive substances, younger age and nonwhite race.

Incidence of bloodborne virus infection and risk behaviours in a cohort of injecting drug users in Victoria, 1990‐1995

“…This is largely because of transfer of blood through sharing of contaminated injecting equipment or of environmental contamination in injecting settings, which in turn depends on the behaviour of injecting drug users (IDUs). 2 The Victorian Injecting Drug Users Cohort Study (VICS) is the first longitudinal cohort study ofIDUs carried out in Australia. At the inception ofVICS in 1989, there was little Australian research into injecting drug use, and most studies were small, cross-sectional and retrospective.> Information was needed about changes in IDU behaviour and their impact on the incidence of infection with bloodborne viruses among IDUs.…”

Longitudinal Changes in Sexual Risk Behavior Among HIV+ and HIV− Male Injecting Drug Users

“…Nevertheless, there are indications that IDUs' practices are changing toward less risky behavior, particularly regarding needle use practices (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Studies that assess sexual behavior among IDUs Am are typically cross-sectional and find that condoms are not used on most sexual occasions (9,20,21).…”

heroin injection among addicted felons: testing extant theories

“…Many heroin users progress from snorting or smoking heroin to injecting it as their addiction progresses (Yamaguchi and Kandel 1984 ;Strang et al 1992 ;Griffiths et al 1994 ;Saxon et al 1994). Most snorters and smokers ünd it difficult to avoid progressing to injection if they remain active heroin users (Chitwood et al 1998).…”