AIMS: To study the use of supervised injection facilities (SIFs) as a predictor of safer injecting practices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted with face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire with computer-assisted personal interviewing. Dried blood spot samples were collected for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody testing. SETTING: All participants were street-recruited by chain referral methods in Madrid and Barcelona. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 249 young heroin drug injectors recruited by the ITINERE cohort study in two Spanish cities with SIFs. MEASUREMENTS: The main outcome measures were self-reported injecting behaviours and SIFs attendance. RESULTS: SIF users were more marginalized socially than non-users. They were also more often regular injectors (weekly or more versus sporadic) [odds ratio (OR) = 4.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.7-8.8], speedball users (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5-4.3) and anti-HCV-positive (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.4-7.1). In the logistic regression analysis, using SIFs was associated independently with not borrowing used syringes (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4-7.7). However, no significant association was found between SIF use and not sharing injection equipment indirectly (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.5-2.2). CONCLUSIONS: SIFs attract highly disadvantaged drug injectors who engage none the less in less borrowing of used syringes than non-users of these facilities. The risks of indirect sharing should be emphasized when counselling SIF attendees.
AIMS: To study the use of supervised injection facilities (SIFs) as a predictor of safer injecting practices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study conducted with face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire with computer-assisted personal interviewing. Dried blood spot samples were collected for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody testing. SETTING: All participants were street-recruited by chain referral methods in Madrid and Barcelona. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 249 young heroin drug injectors recruited by the ITINERE cohort study in two Spanish cities with SIFs. MEASUREMENTS: The main outcome measures were self-reported injecting behaviours and SIFs attendance. RESULTS: SIF users were more marginalized socially than non-users. They were also more often regular injectors (weekly or more versus sporadic) [odds ratio (OR) = 4.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.7-8.8], speedball users (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 1.5-4.3) and anti-HCV-positive (OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.4-7.1). In the logistic regression analysis, using SIFs was associated independently with not borrowing used syringes (OR = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.4-7.7). However, no significant association was found between SIF use and not sharing injection equipment indirectly (OR = 1.1, 95% CI: 0.5-2.2). CONCLUSIONS: SIFs attract highly disadvantaged drug injectors who engage none the less in less borrowing of used syringes than non-users of these facilities. The risks of indirect sharing should be emphasized when counselling SIF attendees.
Authors: Kora DeBeck; Tessa Cheng; Julio S Montaner; Chris Beyrer; Richard Elliott; Susan Sherman; Evan Wood; Stefan Baral Journal: Lancet HIV Date: 2017-05-14 Impact factor: 12.767
Authors: Maria L Mittal; Andrew Guise; Claudia Rafful; Patricia Gonzalez-Zuñiga; Peter Davidson; Devesh Vashishtha; Steffanie A Strathdee; Dan Werb Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2019-08-07 Impact factor: 2.164
Authors: Jorge Valencia; Jesús Troya; Jeffrey V Lazarus; Guillermo Cuevas; Alejandro Alvaro-Meca; Juan Torres; Carlos Gardeta; David Lozano; Santiago Moreno; Pablo Ryan Journal: Open Forum Infect Dis Date: 2021-05-25 Impact factor: 3.835