A longitudinal investigation into excess risk for blood-borne infection among young injection drug users (IUDs).
Studies have found that young injection drug users (IDUs) may be at elevated risk for blood-borne infection transmission, however few studies have evaluated risk longitudinally. We compared variables between younger (>or= 29 years) and older (<or= 30 years) IDUs in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada between 1996 and 2006. Of 1598 participants, 582 (36%) were aged <or= 29 years. In prospective analyses (N = 1598), factors associated with younger age included: borrowing syringes, and frequent (>or= 1 daily) injection of heroin, cocaine, and speedballs. Additionally, younger IDUs were less likely to access drug treatment or methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) and test HIV and HCV-positive. Younger IDUs have lower HIV and HCV prevalence, but a higher risk profile and lower uptake of drug treatment. These factors underscore the need to target this age group and develop youth friendly interventions to minimize drug-related harms.
University of California at San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093, USA. cmiller@cfenet.ubc.ca
Cari L
CL
Miller
Steffanie A
SA
Strathdee
Kathy
K
Li
Thomas
T
Kerr
Evan
E
Wood
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001955:British Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation
D008691:Methadone