title: Modeling initiation into drug injection among street youth.
abstract: This study aimed at examining the predictors of initiation into drug injection among street youth using social cognitive theory framework. A prospective cohort study based on semi-annual interviews was carried out. Psychosocial determinants referred to avoidance of initiation. Other potential predictors were: sociodemographic characteristics, relationships with injectors, parent's substance misuse, drug use patterns, homelessness, survival sex, sexual abuse. Independent predictors were identified using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Among the 352 participants, high control beliefs about avoidance of initiation was protective while younger age, daily alcohol consumption, heroin use, cocaine use, and survival sex all increased risk of initiation. Preventive strategies targeting street youth should both enhance youth's control beliefs and actual control over their substance use and improve their life conditions.
authors: Université de Sherbrooke, Canada, Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé, Service de toxicomanie, Longueuil, Québec, Canada. Elise.Roy@Usherbrooke.ca
authors: Elise
authors: E
authors: Roy
authors: Gaston
authors: G
authors: Godin
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Boudreau
authors: Philippe-Benoit
authors: PB
authors: Côté
authors: Véronique
authors: V
authors: Denis
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Haley
authors: Pascale
authors: P
authors: Leclerc
authors: Jean-François
authors: JF
authors: Boivin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D018453:Homeless Youth / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015995:Prevalence; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult