title: Elicitation of salient beliefs related to drug preparation practices among injection drug users in Puerto Rico.
abstract: Even when IDUs use their own syringes, the common use of drug preparation materials can expose them to blood-borne pathogens. Notwithstanding the accumulated evidence about the riskiness of drug preparation practices (DPPs), the factors that lead IDUs to engage in DPPs have remained understudied. We conducted 80 semi-structured interviews to elicit salient beliefs about engaging in low-risk DPPs. Data were content analyzed for consequences, normative influences, and barriers. For the most part respondents described positive consequences of engaging in low-risk DPPs. The majority of respondents mentioned IDU peers as a major source of pressure to engage in high-risk DPPs. Lack of access to clean materials and the need to carry materials on oneself were the most salient barriers elicited. The results suggest that preventive interventions need to address the preference for re-using filters, help develop skills to fend off pressures from peers, and increase the accessibility of materials in ways that do not require IDUs to carry additional items.
authors.affiliation: Center for Addiction Studies, School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón Puerto Rico. hcolon@uccaribe.edu
authors.forename: Héctor M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Colón
authors.forename: H Ann
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Finlinson
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fishbein
authors.forename: Rafaela R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: Mayra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soto-López
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Marcano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D011647:Puerto Rico; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous