Sibthorpe BM, Fleming D, McAlister R, Klockner R, Gould J; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1989 Jun 4-9; 5: 754 (abstract no. W.D.P.69).
Oregon Health Division, Portland, Oregon, USA
OBJECTIVE: To assess needle sharing among intravenous drug users (IVDU's) in a region where sterile needles are readily available without prescription. METHODS: Current IVDU's in Portland, Oregon, were questioned about AIDS, drug-use history, and needle-sharing practices using a standardized questionnaire that included both structured and open-ended questions. Sources of recruitment included a corrections facility, county health clinics, private welfare organizations and street outreach. Participation was voluntary and confidentiality was assured. Preliminary results are presented below. RESULTS: Between 12/88 and 2/89, 150 IVDU's were interviewed. Mean age was 28 years; 56% were male. Mean years of IV drug use was 7.5. Heroin was the principal drug injected for 25%, cocaine for 31%, amphetamines for 27% and heroin plus cocaine or amphetamines for 17%. Most (58%) had never been in drug treatment. Needles were purchased from pharmacies or other stores by 79% of users. Over half (54%) stated they currently shared needles while shooting drugs. Of those sharing needles, 15% shared only with their sex partners, 39% also shared with other friends, and 46% shared with total strangers. The main reason given for sharing needles was convenience (50%); less than 5% said they shared because of difficulty obtaining needles. Needles were never cleaned by 27%. Needles were cleaned by 23% using bleach and 50% using water. Over 95% of all these IVDU's, including those who shared needles, knew that sharing could transmit AIDS. Sixty five percent of IVDU's who shared needles assessed their risk of AIDS as moderate or high compared with 18% of those who did not share (p less than .001 by chi square). CONCLUSION: The ready availability of sterile needles, knowledge of AIDS transmission, and perception of personal risk are not sufficient to prevent needle-sharing among many IVDU's. Education regarding safer needle cleaning may be the most effective intervention among IVDU's who continue to shoot up.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Behavior
- Evaluation Studies
- Heroin
- Male
- Needle Sharing
- Needles
- Oregon
- Pharmaceutical Preparations
- Sexual Partners
- Substance Abuse, Intravenous
- Substance-Related Disorders
- education
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102179875
From Meeting Abstracts