title: Accelerated transition to injection among male heroin initiates in Hanoi, Vietnam: implications for early harm reduction interventions.
abstract: This paper examines changes in the interval between first heroin smoking and onset of injection in a large, out-treatment sample of male heroin users in Hanoi, Vietnam (n = 1,115). Mean age at initiation of heroin use (smoking) was 18.4 and mean age of onset of heroin injection was 20.9 years. Full multivariate analysis indicates that the interval between first heroin use (smoking) and first heroin injection has been significantly attenuated among more recent heroin initiates (P = 0.0043), suggesting that heroin users in Vietnam may be at increased risk for exposure to HIV relatively soon after onset of heroin use, highlighting the need for behavioral interventions that target heroin smokers. Critical intervention goals include delaying the onset of injection and improved education about safer drug sharing and drug injection practices.
authors: School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 365067, San Juan, PR. michael.clatts@upr.edu
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Clatts
authors: Lloyd A
authors: LA
authors: Goldsamt
authors: Le Minh
authors: le M
authors: Giang
authors: Vivian
authors: V
authors: Colón-López
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D040261:Harm Reduction; D003932:Heroin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003932:Heroin