title: Role of social network dimensions in the transition to injection drug use: actions speak louder than words.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the influences of social network factors, particularly social support and norms, in the transition from non-injection heroin and/or opiate use to heroin-injection, which is one of the leading causes of the spread of HIV/AIDS in China. Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit young heroin and/or opiate users in an egocentric network study in Yunnan, China. Multivariate logistic regression using hierarchical combinations of candidate variables was used to analyze network factors for the injection transition. A total of 3,121 social network alters were reported by 403 egos with an average network size of eight. Fifty-eight percent of egos transitioned to heroin-injection from non-injection. This transition was associated with having a larger sex network size, a larger number of heroin injectors in one's network, and a higher network density. The findings enhance our understanding of the influence of social network dimensions on the transition to injection drug use. Accordingly, the development of interventions for heroin and/or opiate users in China should consider social network characteristics.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, USA.
authors: Nana
authors: N
authors: Koram
authors: Hongjie
authors: H
authors: Liu
authors: Jianhua
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Luo
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Nield
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult