Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Needle Sharing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Seroprevalence and demographic characteristics of injection drugs users among individuals at risk for HIV infection in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

From June 1986 to March 1990, a prospective seroprevalence survey and questionnaire of individuals at risk for HIV infection was conducted with volunteers in Winnipeg. Of 610 individuals enrolled, 146 were injected drug users (IDU). Fifteen IDU were in a methadone treatment program and all were seronegative. Three of 131 remaining IDU were HIV-1 seropositive (2.3%), a rate similar to 2.2% positive (20+ of 927) in diagnostic specimens from IDU tested in the province. Demographics and behaviour of 131 IDU were compared with 335 individuals, of whom 112 were gay/bisexual [24 of whom also had sexually transmitted diseases (STD)] and 223 heterosexuals who had STD. Males enrolled were significantly older than females. Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with IDU were: a younger age, less education, mental health counselling, unemployment, and a history of jaundice or hepatitis. Drugs most commonly used were Ritalin/Talwin, cocaine, and heroin. Over 90% of individuals admitted to sharing needles. In spite of the low seroprevalence of HIV-1 infections, these individuals are important for the potential spread of HIV because of multiple means of acquiring and transmitting HIV and a high rate of needle sharing.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Immigration and HIV infection: a pilot study.

This pilot study was conducted to determine areas in which additional education regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is needed by the undocumented and recently immigrated HIV-infected population, and to obtain preliminary information on the ability of this community to access medical treatment for HIV. Information regarding health status, immigration status, and the use of medical services was obtained from all HIV-infected undocumented and recently immigrated individuals who sought services from a Southern California nonprofit agency between July 1, 1990 and December 31, 1990. A total of 54 such individuals presented for services. Thirteen individuals reported participating in shared needle usage for the administration of medication or vitamins, in addition to other known risk factors for HIV. Only one of these 13 individuals had access to nonemergency medical care. Additional research is necessary to determine the reasons for these needle sharing behaviors. Educational outreach is needed to address these behaviors as a possible risk factor for HIV transmission.

California↗
PubMed1995

The HIV-associated risk behaviour among male drug abusers in Malaysia.

To examine the risk factors of HIV type-I infection among male drug addicts in Malaysia, a case-control study was conducted on inmates, aged 20-40 years, at a drug rehabilitation centre in January, 1994. Stratified random sampling was performed. A total of 87 cases and 261 controls, chosen by frequency matching for age and ethnicity, answered self-administered questionnaires. About 59.8% of the subjects administered drugs intravenously and of these, 71.2% shared needles. Practices significantly associated with HIV infection were needle-sharing (OR = 8.53; 95% CI = 3.36-5.52), sexual relationship with prostitutes (OR = 3.70; 95% CI = 2.10-6.56), homosexuality (OR = 4.05; 95% CI = 1.49-11.11) and non-condom use while having sex with prostitutes (OR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.05-4.97).

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Social relationships and intravenous drug use among methadone maintenance patients.

This study examined the extent to which social relationships were associated with continued injection drug use and needle sharing among 252 methadone maintenance patients. Logistic regression analyses indicated that drug use was highest among persons who had a substance using live-in partner and among those with more drug-using social relationships. Among injectors, whites and those who had more people present during IV drug use were more likely to share needles, while those with more emotional support were less likely to do so. These findings suggest that personal relationships strongly influence continued injection drug use and that methadone programs should help patients develop social networks of non-users.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Gendered power dynamics and HIV risk in drug-using sexual relationships.

This study illustrates how a sample (n = 63) of Scottish drug-using women's patterns of injecting and needle sharing were strongly influenced by the nature and type of their sexual relationships. Our data shows that 12 out of the 13 drug-using couples were sharing needles and 33 out of 41 drug-using women who had ever been in a sexual relationship with a male injector had been predominately injected by their partner whilst in that relationship. For the most part, these women placed significant importance on and investment in their heterosexual relationships. These dynamics clearly impacted on the women's HIV risk taking and risk management and the implications of these findings are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2007

Prevalence and correlates of risky sexual behaviors among injection drug users in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The objective of this paper is to describe prevalence and correlates of sexual risk behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Participants in this cross-sectional study completed a questionnaire detailing sociodemographic, medical and drug and sexual risk behaviors and HIV antibody testing. Of 701 IDUs surveyed, only 20.5% reported consistent condom use, which was more likely for women. Prior sexually-transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis was reported by 36.2% of participants and was associated with early (</=18 years) drug initiation, group drug use, being older, higher educational level, marriage, needle sharing, multiple sex partners in the preceding month and daily injection use. Having multiple partners in the preceding month was common (29.71%) and related to employment, consistent condom use with regular partners and STI self-treatment in multivariate logistic regression. Participants with a history of sharing needles were less likely to have had multiple partners in the previous month. Risky sexual behaviors are common and interrelated with risky injection habits among IDUs in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, representing a continued threat of infection with HIV and other blood-borne agents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Association of drug injection patterns with antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 among intravenous drug users in Baltimore, Maryland.

During 1988 and 1989, intravenous drug users recruited through extensive community outreach efforts in Baltimore, Maryland, were interviewed about drug injection and sex practices in the prior 11 years, with screening for antibody to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Neither interviewers nor subjects were aware of HIV-1 serostatus until 2 weeks after the interview. Among 2,616 intravenous drug users who last injected drug within the same calendar year as screening, HIV-1 seroprevalence was 30.1% for those with any use of shooting galleries, 23.3% for those who shared needles but did not use shooting galleries, and 16.3% for drug users who denied both needle-sharing and gallery use between 1977 and 1987. Among 608 drug users who reported persistent use of shooting galleries since 1977 or subsequent initiation into drug use, there was a tendency for HIV-1 seroprevalence to increase with more recent onset of an injection career. Combined with a milder but similar tendency among 739 drug users who reported persistent sharing of needles, and a seroprevalence of 15.1% among participants who had just started injecting drugs in the 18 months prior to baseline, these data provide indirect evidence that a high risk for HIV-1 infection might occur early during a drug injection career.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2006

Anabolic androgenic steroids: a survey of 500 users.

PURPOSE: The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) to increase muscle size and strength is widespread. Information regarding self-administered AAS used nonmedically to enhance athletic performance or improve physical appearance is sparse and poorly documented. The purpose of this study is to identify current trends in the drug-taking habits of AAS users. METHODS: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was posted on the message boards of Internet Web sites popular among AAS users. RESULTS: Of the 500 AAS users who participated in the survey, 78.4% (392/500) were noncompetitive bodybuilders and nonathletes; 59.6% (298/500) of the respondents reported using at least 1000 mg of testosterone or its equivalent per week. The majority (99.2%) of AAS users (496/500) self-administer injectable AAS formulations, and up to 13% (65/500) report unsafe injection practices such as reusing needles, sharing needles, and sharing multidose vials. In addition to using AAS, 25% of users admitted to the adjuvant use of growth hormone and insulin for anabolic effect, and 99.2% (496/500) of users reported subjective side effects from AAS use. CONCLUSIONS: This survey reveals several trends in the nonmedical use of AAS. Nearly four out of five AAS users are nonathletes who take these drugs for cosmetic reasons. AAS users in this sample are taking larger doses than previously recorded, with more than half of the respondents using a weekly AAS dose in excess of 1000 mg. The majority of steroid users self-administer AAS by intramuscular injection, and approximately 1 in 10 users report hazardous injection techniques. Polypharmacy is practiced by more than 95% of AAS users, with one in four users taking growth hormone and insulin. Nearly 100% of AAS users reported subjective side effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Correlates of HIV transmission risk factors and considerations for interventions in homeless, chemically addicted and mentally ill patients.

A study was conducted to ascertain correlates of HIV high risk behaviors and attitudes toward HIV. A questionnaire was administered to 103 men living in a modified therapeutic community (TC) for homeless, chemically addicted and mentally ill men. The psychiatric diagnoses of the sample population included psychotic disorders (48%), depressive disorders (36%), and bipolar disorders (16%). Forty-two percent reported that their primary substance of abuse was cocaine and another 40% named alcohol as the substance to which they were most addicted. Two logistic regression analyses were conducted, one with needle sharing as the outcome measure and one with endorsement of the need for lifestyle changes to reduce risk of HIV transmission. Cocaine users were 3.4 times more likely to have shared needles than the rest of the sample. Patients who had a history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were 17 times more likely to endorse the need for lifestyle changes. The level of HIV transmission knowledge was unrelated to HIV risk behaviors or attitudes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Human herpesvirus 8 can be transmitted through blood in drug addicts.

Human Herpes virus type-8 (HHV-8) seroprevalence was studied in a population of HIV positive intravenous drug users (IVDUs) from Argentina. Analysis of this population also indirectly made it possible to study HHV-8 blood transmission, because these individuals frequently engage in needle sharing behavior and are capable of acquiring a broad array of blood borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B/C virus. The seroprevalence of HHV-8 in IVDUs was compared to a group of non-IVDUs and HIV negative individuals. Of the 223 individuals tested, 13.45% were HHV-8 positive, 16.99% in the IVDUs group, and 5.71% in the non-IVDUs. Among HIV positive IVDUs, 25/144 (17.36%) were also HHV-8 seropositive. The seropositivity rate of HHV-8 in HIV negative IVDUs was 11.1%. In contrast, HHV-8 seroprevalence in HIV negative heterosexual individuals without drug usage behavior was even lower (5.71%). The rate of HHV-8 infection in HIV positive IVDUs was three times as high compared to the non IVDU HIV negative individuals, suggesting that IVDU is a risk for HHV-8 infection. Furthermore, it was found that IVDUs showed a very high rate of Hepatitis B/C (52.77%), which also correlate with HHV-8 infection in this population (23.68%). All Hepatitis B/C positive individuals were also HIV positive. Our data confirm other studies showing that individuals who share needles are at risk for acquiring Hepatitis B/C and HIV infections. In addition, our results suggest that they are also at risk to acquiring HHV-8 infection by the same route.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Drug-related HIV risk behaviors and cocaine preference among injection drug users in Los Angeles.

Based on a 1988-91 sample of 422 drug-using arrestees in Los Angeles, this study compares the drug-related risk behavior of users whose preferred injection drug is cocaine and users with a preference for heroin or no preference between the two drugs. Cocaine preference is unrelated to the likelihood of needle sharing overall, needle sharing with strangers, needle sharing at shooting galleries, and failure to use bleach as a needle disinfectant. In analyses restricted to users who reported needle sharing, the frequency of sharing is no more closely related to heroin injection frequency than to cocaine injection frequency. These results suggest that local preventive education programs do not need to address distinctive patterns of drug-related risk behavior among injection cocaine users and injection heroin users in Los Angeles.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

HIV/AIDS risk perception, HIV risk behaviors, and HIV seropositivity among injection drug users in Puerto Rico.

This paper assesses the factors related to self perception of developing AIDS among a group of 1,568 Puerto Rican injection drug users (IDUs). Incarceration history, years of drug injection, sharing needles, renting and borrowing needles, sharing rinse water or cooker, and having an IDU sex partner yielded a moderate association with HIV/AIDS risk perception. Use of sterile needles, shooting drugs alone, having had previous treatment episodes, and all the variables related to health status were also moderately associated with HIV/AIDS risk perception. A logistic regression model based on backwards elimination procedure, which included statistically significant variables in the bivariate analyses, yielded the variables living with children, sex with an IDU partner, shooting drugs alone, perception of health, having had a sexually transmitted disease, and results of HIV testing as statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

AIDS prevention for intravenous drug users in the community: street-based education and risk behavior.

Conducted a study of behavior change associated with a street-based AIDS education project targeted to intravenous (IV) drug users in San Francisco. Two cross-sections were sampled from drug detoxification clinics and street locations in 1986 (n = 438) and 1987 (n = 623). Significant increases were reported in the percentage of IV drug users who used bleach to decontaminate syringes, who did not share needles in past year, and in condom use. A significant reduction in an index of the number of needle-sharing partners was reported. Respondents ranked treatment program as most important source of AIDS information prior to implementation of the program, and ranked outreach workers as most important after implementation. Findings suggest that this community-based outreach program had at least some impact on knowledge about AIDS and may have led to reductions in behaviors known to transmit HIV.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Survey of AIDS knowledge and behavior changes among Massachusetts adults.

In October 1987, 1,323 Massachusetts residents were randomly interviewed by telephone to explore their exposure to AIDS educational efforts, levels of knowledge about AIDS, and whether that knowledge modified their behavior. Gay/bisexual males, iv drug users and heterosexual respondents were compared as were blacks, Hispanics, and whites. While 81% of respondents had read or heard mass media stories about AIDS, in the previous week, only 5% had ever been counseled about AIDS by a physician. Over 97% of black (N = 152) and white respondents (N = 1,057), as well as gay/bisexual males (N = 21) and iv drug users (N = 33) were aware that HIV can be transmitted by homosexual or heterosexual intercourse and by sharing needles when injecting drugs. However, 9% of the 55 Hispanics interviewed were unaware of male homosexual transmission, and 7% did not know about heterosexual transmission or the risks of needle sharing. Twenty percent of Hispanics, compared with 9% of other respondents, did not know HIV can be transmitted sexually by someone who appears healthy. Fifty-two percent of gay/bisexual males, 27% of iv drug users, and 21% of those who had multiple heterosexual partners in recent years reported adopting abstinence, monogamous relations, or condom use to avoid HIV exposure. Those who continued risky behavior were just as knowledgeable about HIV transmission, but they were less likely to report that they worry a great deal about getting AIDS, 14% vs 32%. The results indicate that new strategies and resources are needed to educate Hispanics. Physicians need to counsel more persons about HIV transmission and further efforts are needed to translate knowledge about HIV transmission into behavior change to avoid the virus.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Characteristics of injection drug users derived from a large family study of alcoholism.

Most descriptive studies on injection drug users (IDUs) has used treatment or referral samples. This study uses relatives ascertained through the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) to describe patterns of drug use, psychiatric comorbidity, and selected high-risk behaviors among IDUs not ascertained through treatment or other referral networks. Relatives (N = 5,520) of alcoholic probands were administered a semistructured interview, the Semistructured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA), which assesses lifetime psychiatric symptoms and psychoactive substance use. IDUs were compared with these who had never used cannabis more than 20 times or other drugs more than 10 times (minimal drug use group), those who had used cannabis more than 20 times but no other illicit drugs more than 18 times (cannabis users), and those who had used other drugs more than 10 times but who had never injected (other drug users). Compared with other drug users, IDUs reported using more classes of drugs and began drug use at an earlier age. IDUs were significantly more likely to receive diagnoses of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and alcohol dependence, and reported elevated rates of suicidal ideas and attempts. IDUs were more likely to report a variety of behavioral difficulties beginning before age 15, and were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. Half of the IDUs reported having shared needles; shares were more likely to receive a diagnosis of ASPD, but did not differ on reporting high-risk behaviors. IDUs, regardless of whether selected through treatment, have high lifetime rates of mood disturbance and ASPD, and are likely to have a history of conduct difficulties beginning before age 15 years and to subsequently engage in a variety of other high-risk behaviors.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Patterns of behaviour amongst injecting drug users--implications for HIV.

HIV-related behaviour was studied in a sample of 187 injecting drug users in Stockport, most of whom were not regular users of health services. 174 of the group had shared needles, most of them within the last 4 weeks. Among the 174, more than a quarter were under 20 years of age; most had had multiple sexual partners, and only a minority ever used condoms. Most perceived themselves to be at low or no risk of HIV infection. Perception of risk was related to changes in reported sexual behaviour, but not to needle-sharing. Implications for existing control programmes are considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Knowledge and perception of risk for HIV and condom use among male injecting drug users in Cebu City, Philippines.

Injecting drug users (IDU) represent a small fraction of the HIV and AIDS cases in the Philippines. To determine if these people are engaging in behaviors that put them at risk for HIV, interviews were conducted with 360 male IDUs in Cebu City, Philippines, from 1997 to 1999, as part of a national surveillance system. The interviews assessed knowledge about HIV transmission, sources of information about HIV/AIDS, perceived risks of contracting HIV, needle-sharing practices, condom use, self-reported signs and symptoms of STDs and number of sex partners. Although most of the men were able to recognize behaviors accurately that put them at risk for HIV, more than two-thirds claimed that they shared needles and almost two-thirds of those who were sexually active claimed that they never used condoms. Intervention strategies must be developed for this population if the nation is to avoid the dramatic increase in HIV infection among IDUs that has been witnessed in neighboring Southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia and Vietnam.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Risk factors and medical follow-up of drug users tested for hepatitis C--can the risk of transmission be reduced?

Of 1728 patients attending a regional drug and alcohol clinic, 202 were considered at risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Forty-nine per cent (99/202) agreed to testing-67% (67) were HCV antibody positive. Age and a history of needle sharing was the significant factor associated with positive HCV status. Patients on methadone maintenance medication were more-likely to have been HCV positive, but significantly (p = 0.005) less likely to have shared needles in the previous year. Seventy-three per cent (49/67) attended for follow-up at a "liver clinic". Fifty per cent were infected with genotype 1a. Eighteen patients were biopsied and all were abnormal, ranging from mild hepatitis to severe fibrotic hepatitis. Attendance for medical follow-up was poor, which emphasizes the importance of preventative measures such as methadone maintenance programmes for reducing the spread of HCV.

Journal Article↗