title: Injecting alone among young adult IDUs in five US cities: evidence of low rates of injection risk behavior.
abstract: Illicit drug injection typically occurs in private or semi-public settings where two or more injectors are present. In a large sample of young adult injectors (aged 15-30) in five US cities, we describe those who reported consistently injecting by themselves in a recent period. Among 3199 eligible subjects, 85% were male, median age was 24 years, and median number of years injecting was four. Fifteen percent (n=467) who reported always injecting alone in the previous 3 months were compared to other IDUs to understand the relationship between this practice and injection risk behavior. IDUs who reported injecting alone were substantially less likely to report injection with a syringe (AOR=0.16, 95% CI 0.1-0.2) or other drug preparation equipment (AOR=0.17, 95% CI 0.13-0.2) previously used by another injector. Markedly low rates of injection risk behavior were observed in IDUs who reported injecting alone; this practice may facilitate safe injection by granting the individual greater control over the injection setting. However, risks may include accidental overdose with severe consequences.
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, National Development and Research Institutes, 8th Floor, 71 West 23rd Street, New York City, NY 10010, USA. hagan@ndri.org
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hagan
authors.forename: Jennifer V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thiede
authors.forename: Steffanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Strathdee
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ouellet
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Latka
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Richard S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Garfein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population