Objectives: To examine the association between initial injection experience and subsequent injection risk behaviors among young adult drug users in New York City.
Methods: Injection drug users who were less than 30 years old, and had been injecting for between 6 months and 7 years were recruited on the streets of the Lower East Side in New York City. Participants were administered a face-to-face interview regarding their patterns of drug use and injection behaviors during a) their first injection experience, and b) the 6 months preceding the interview.
Results: Relatively few (9.5%) of first-time injectors knowingly engaged in receptive syringe sharing (RSS). Injecting with a steady sex partner (spouse, boy/girlfriend) was significantly associated with RSS both at first injection experience (OR=2.6, 95%CI:1.1-6.1), and during the 6 months preceding the interview (OR=4.0, 95%CI:2.3-7.1). Receptive syringe sharing at initial injection experience was significantly associated with both RSS (OR=0.5, 95%CI:3.6-24.6), and sharing of various other drug paraphernalia during the 6 months preceding the interview. Controlling for injecting with a steady sex partner and for use of a needle exchange program during the 6 months preceding the interview, RSS at first injection remained an independent significant predictor of RSS (AOR=8.3, 95%CI:3.1-22.2) and several measures of sharing of other drug paraphernalia.
Conclusions: Initial injection experience may affect future injection behaviors. Interventions should communicate the risks associated with sharing injection equipment to both those at risk of becoming injectors, and those at risk of initiating others into injecting.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Recognize the potential impact of first injection experience on subsequent participation in risk behaviors among injection drug users. 2. Assess the degree to which this is addressed in current interventions. 3. Develop enhanced interventions with heightened sensitivity to those at risk of becoming injection drug users.
Keywords: Injecting Drug Use, Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.