Pneumococcal carriage in an Alaskan drug-using population.

This study examined the prevalence of pneumococcal carriage rates in an Alaskan drug-using population. Data collection included: (a) The Risk Behavior Assessment, (b) a supplemental smoking questionnaire, and (c) collection and culture of nasal/oropharyngeal specimens for isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The overall carriage rate for S. pneumoniae was 13%. Of seven smoking variables, only hashish smoking within the prior six-month period was significantly associated with pneumococcal carriage. Other carriage indicators in the literature were nonsignificant. Results of the logistic regression indicate that the risk factors for carriage were (a) smoking hashish within the last six months, (b) receiving income from public assistance, and (c) receiving income from a family member or friend.