BACKGROUND: Cohort studies make it possible to monitor the health impact of drug use and to identify related factors. We describe the methodology and baseline characteristics of a cohort of heroin users designed with this objective. METHODS: The participants were 991 young, community-recruited heroin users in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. Most subjects were named by other participants (39.7%) or by non-participating drug users or ex-users (44.7%). A computer-aided questionnaire was administered (self-administered with audio for questions related with sex). A dried-blood spot sample was collected and anthropometric measurements were made. Both participants and recruiters received remuneration. Univariate and bivariate statistical methods were used. RESULTS: Some 42.4% had changed the main route of heroin administration, mainly to injection in Barcelona and to the pulmonary route in Seville. About 75.8% (Barcelona), 49.8% (Madrid), and 15.5% (Seville) had injected drugs in the last 12 months. In Madrid and Seville, 96-97% used heroin in base form, while in Barcelona heroin hydrochloride predominated. Heroin and cocaine were frequently mixed in the same dose (generally base cocaine in Madrid and Seville, and cocaine hydrochloride in Barcelona). CONCLUSIONS: Important geographic differences persist in the prevalence of drug injection and in the patterns of heroin and cocaine use, which could explain the unequal distribution of some health problems. The difficulties encountered in recruiting the sample suggest that the incidence of heroin use has declined considerably.
BACKGROUND: Cohort studies make it possible to monitor the health impact of drug use and to identify related factors. We describe the methodology and baseline characteristics of a cohort of heroin users designed with this objective. METHODS: The participants were 991 young, community-recruited heroin users in Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. Most subjects were named by other participants (39.7%) or by non-participating drug users or ex-users (44.7%). A computer-aided questionnaire was administered (self-administered with audio for questions related with sex). A dried-blood spot sample was collected and anthropometric measurements were made. Both participants and recruiters received remuneration. Univariate and bivariate statistical methods were used. RESULTS: Some 42.4% had changed the main route of heroin administration, mainly to injection in Barcelona and to the pulmonary route in Seville. About 75.8% (Barcelona), 49.8% (Madrid), and 15.5% (Seville) had injected drugs in the last 12 months. In Madrid and Seville, 96-97% used heroin in base form, while in Barcelona heroin hydrochloride predominated. Heroin and cocaine were frequently mixed in the same dose (generally base cocaine in Madrid and Seville, and cocaine hydrochloride in Barcelona). CONCLUSIONS: Important geographic differences persist in the prevalence of drug injection and in the patterns of heroin and cocaine use, which could explain the unequal distribution of some health problems. The difficulties encountered in recruiting the sample suggest that the incidence of heroin use has declined considerably.
Authors: Luis de la Fuente; María José Bravo; Carlos Toro; M Teresa Brugal; Gregorio Barrio; Vicente Soriano; Fernando Vallejo; Rosario Ballesta Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2006-06 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Montserrat Neira-León; Gregorio Barrio; M Teresa Brugal; Luis de la Fuente; Rosario Ballesta; María J Bravo; Teresa C Silva; Alicia Rodríguez-Martos Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: M Chahua; A Sánchez-Niubò; M Torrens; L Sordo; M J Bravo; M T Brugal; A Domingo-Salvany Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2015-02-15 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Antònia Domingo-Salvany; M Teresa Brugal; Gregorio Barrio; Francisco González-Saiz; M José Bravo; Luís de la Fuente Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2010-12-01 Impact factor: 3.186
Authors: Isabel Hurtado Navarro; I Alastrue; J Del Amo; C Santos; I Ferreros; T Tasa; S Pérez-Hoyos Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2008-04-11 Impact factor: 8.082