Libby Topp1, Jenny Iversen, Andrew Conroy, Allison M Salmon, Lisa Maher. 1. Viral Hepatitis Epidemiology and Prevention Program, National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, New South Wales. LTopp@nchecr.unsw.edu.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify lifetime prevalence and predictors of self-reported injecting-related injuries and diseases (IRID) and/or injecting-related problems (IRP) among a national cross-sectional sample of injecting drug users. METHODS: 1,961 clients of 45 needle and syringe programs (NSPs) who participated in the 2006 Australian NSP Survey self-completed an item regarding lifetime experience of eight separate IRIDs and IRPs. RESULTS: Sixty-nine per cent of participants reported a history of IRID/IRP, with a mean of 1.9 injuries/problems (range 0-8). Lifetime prevalence of specific injuries/problems ranged from problems finding a vein (43%) to endocarditis (4%). Factors independently associated with IRID/IRP included bisexual identity; daily or more frequent injecting; injection of pharmaceutical preparations; female gender; longer injecting history; and hepatitis C antibody-positive serostatus. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with existing literature, results suggest that vascular injury and localised infections are common among IDUs; and that treatment-seeking is often delayed until serious complications arise. IMPLICATIONS: Findings support the imperative for co-ordinated and timely treatment and prevention activities to reduce the severity and burden of these prevalent injecting outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: To identify lifetime prevalence and predictors of self-reported injecting-related injuries and diseases (IRID) and/or injecting-related problems (IRP) among a national cross-sectional sample of injecting drug users. METHODS: 1,961 clients of 45 needle and syringe programs (NSPs) who participated in the 2006 Australian NSP Survey self-completed an item regarding lifetime experience of eight separate IRIDs and IRPs. RESULTS: Sixty-nine per cent of participants reported a history of IRID/IRP, with a mean of 1.9 injuries/problems (range 0-8). Lifetime prevalence of specific injuries/problems ranged from problems finding a vein (43%) to endocarditis (4%). Factors independently associated with IRID/IRP included bisexual identity; daily or more frequent injecting; injection of pharmaceutical preparations; female gender; longer injecting history; and hepatitis C antibody-positive serostatus. CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with existing literature, results suggest that vascular injury and localised infections are common among IDUs; and that treatment-seeking is often delayed until serious complications arise. IMPLICATIONS: Findings support the imperative for co-ordinated and timely treatment and prevention activities to reduce the severity and burden of these prevalent injecting outcomes.
Authors: Robin A Pollini; Manuel Gallardo; Samreen Hasan; Joshua Minuto; Remedios Lozada; Alicia Vera; María Luisa Zúñiga; Steffanie A Strathdee Journal: Int J Infect Dis Date: 2010-04-08 Impact factor: 3.623
Authors: Alysse G Wurcel; Deirdre Burke; Margie Skeer; David Landy; Robert Heimer; John B Wong; Kenneth K H Chui; Thomas J Stopka Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2018-02-20 Impact factor: 4.492