Respondent driven sampling is an effective method for engaging methamphetamine users in HIV prevention research in South Africa

Kimani, Stephen; Watt, Melissa H.; Merli, M. Giovanna; Skinner, Donald G.; Myers, Bronwyn; Pieterse, Desiréé; MacFarlane, Jessica C.; Meade, Christina S.

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.07.018

Cited by 18 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…As described in detail elsewhere (Kimani et al, 2014), respondent driven sampling was used to recruit participants between May and October, 2013. Briefly, eight initial participants (“seeds”) were selected from the community based on prior contacts with our study team.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addiction and treatment experiences among active methamphetamine users recruited from a township community in Cape Town, South Africa: A mixed-methods study

Meade

Towe

Watt

et al. 2015

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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Background Since 2000, there has been a dramatic increase in methamphetamine use in South Africa, but little is known about the experiences of out-of-treatment users. This mixed-methods study describes the substance use histories, addiction symptoms, and treatment experiences of a community-recruited sample of methamphetamine users in Cape Town. Methods Using respondent driven sampling, 360 methamphetamine users (44% female) completed structured clinical interviews to assess substance abuse and treatment history and computerized surveys to assess drug-related risks. A sub-sample of 30 participants completed in-depth interviews to qualitatively explore experiences with methamphetamine use and drug treatment. Results Participants had used methamphetamine for an average of 7.06 years (SD=3.64). They reported using methamphetamine on an average of 23.49 of the past 30 days (SD=8.90); 60% used daily. The majority (90%) met ICD-10 criteria for dependence, and many reported severe social, financial, and legal consequences. While only 10% had ever received drug treatment, 90% reported that they wanted treatment. In the qualitative interviews, participants reported multiple barriers to treatment, including beliefs that treatment is ineffective and relapse is inevitable in their social context. They also identified important motivators, including desires to be drug free and improve family functioning. Conclusion This study yields valuable information to more effectively respond to emerging methamphetamine epidemics in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. Interventions to increase uptake of evidence-based services must actively seek out drug users and build motivation for treatment, and offer continuing care services to prevent relapse. Community education campaigns are also needed.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addiction and treatment experiences among active methamphetamine users recruited from a township community in Cape Town, South Africa: A mixed-methods study

Meade

Towe

Watt

et al. 2015

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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“…Participants were identified from a larger cross-sectional study on tik use in the community (Kimani et al, 2014). Participants in the larger study were recruited via a respondent driven sampling strategy, with individuals eligible if they met the following criteria: ≥18 years old, residence in Delft, self-reported smoking of tik in the past week, and a urine drug screen positive for tik.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Nothing Is Free”: A Qualitative Study of Sex Trading Among Methamphetamine Users in Cape Town, South Africa

et al. 2015

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South Africa is facing an established epidemic of methamphetamine, known locally as “tik”. Globally, methamphetamine has been linked to high rates of sexual risk behaviors, including sex trading. The goal of this study was to qualitatively examine the experiences of sex trading among methamphetamine users in Cape Town, South Africa. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 active methamphetamine users (17 men and 13 women) recruited from the community. Interviews were conducted in local languages using a semi-structured guide that included questions on sex trading experiences and perceptions of sex trading among methamphetamine users. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using analytic memos and coding with constant comparison techniques. The data revealed that in a setting of high levels of addiction and poverty, sex was an important commodity for acquiring methamphetamine. Women were more likely to use sex to acquire methamphetamine, but men reported opportunistic cases of trading sex for methamphetamine. Four models of sex trading emerged: negotiated exchange, implicit exchange, relationships based on resources, and facilitating sex exchange for others. The expectation of sex trading created a context in which sexual violence against female methamphetamine users was common. Multiple sexual partners and inconsistent condom use in acts of sex trading put methamphetamine users at high risk of HIV. Interventions in this setting should address addiction, which is the primary driver of sex trading among methamphetamine users. Harm reduction interventions may include education about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, availability of condoms and HIV testing, and sexual violence prevention.

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“…Details of recruitment are described elsewhere (Kimani et al, in press). Eligibility criteria were: ≥ 18 years of age, positive urine screen for methamphetamine use, and residence in Delft.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mediators of interpersonal violence and drug addiction severity among methamphetamine users in Cape Town, South Africa

Hobkirk

Watt

Green

et al. 2015

Addictive Behaviors

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South Africa has high rates of interpersonal violence and a rapidly growing methamphetamine epidemic. Previous research has linked experiences of interpersonal violence to higher rates of substance use, and identified mental health constructs as potential mediators of this association. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between interpersonal violence and addiction severity among active methamphetamine users in Cape Town, South Africa, and to explore symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use coping as mediators of this relationship. A community sample of 360 methamphetamine users was recruited through respondent driven sampling and surveyed on their experiences of violence, mental health, coping, and drug use and severity. A series of one-way ANOVAs were conducted to examine the relationship of self-reported interpersonal violence with drug addiction severity, and multiple mediation analyses were used to determine if PTSD symptoms and substance use coping mediated this relationship. The majority (87%) of the sample reported experiencing at least one instance of interpersonal violence in their lifetime, and the number of violent experiences was associated with increased drug addiction severity. PTSD and substance use coping were significant mediators of this association. Only the indirect effect of substance use coping remained significant for the female sample when the mediation model was conducted separately for men and women. The findings point to the need for integrated treatments that address drug use and PTSD for methamphetamine users in South Africa and highlight the importance of coping interventions for women.

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Respondent driven sampling is an effective method for engaging methamphetamine users in HIV prevention research in South Africa

Cited by 18 publications

References 55 publications

Addiction and treatment experiences among active methamphetamine users recruited from a township community in Cape Town, South Africa: A mixed-methods study

Addiction and treatment experiences among active methamphetamine users recruited from a township community in Cape Town, South Africa: A mixed-methods study

“Nothing Is Free”: A Qualitative Study of Sex Trading Among Methamphetamine Users in Cape Town, South Africa

Mediators of interpersonal violence and drug addiction severity among methamphetamine users in Cape Town, South Africa

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