The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39974

Don C. Des Jarlais¹, Theresa Perlis, PhD², Cassandra Torrico², and Joy Settembrino¹. (1) National Development and Research Institutes, Inc., 71 West 23rd. Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010, 212-845-4464, dcdesjarla@aol.com, (2) National Development and Research Institutes, Inc, 71 West 23rd Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10010

Background: While HIV is clearly spread geographically through travel among IDUs, there are few studies of their travel patterns. We assessed the travel patterns of a group of young "urban nomad" IDUs. Methods: 93 geographically mobile IDUs were recruited through street outreach and peer referral in New York City. Travel histories and HIV risk behavior data were obtained using structured interviews, accompanied by serotesting for HIV, HBV, and HCV. Results: The sample was 65% male, 84% white, with median age of 21. These IDUs identified as "urban nomads" or "travelers" with no fixed abode. They reported extensive traveling - over 3000 person-trips (P-Trip - a trip to one city by one person) to 620 different cities/towns during the past three years. Besides NYC, frequently visited U.S. cities included San Francisco (112 P-Trips), Philadelphia (104 P-Trips), New Orleans (95 P-Trips), and Portland, OR, (76 P-Trips). Over 10% of P-Trips were made abroad, to Canada, South and Central America, Europe, and Asia. 25 different countries were visited. Drug use, including heroin, cocaine, marijuana and daily alcohol, was a major theme in their lives while traveling. Drug use particulars and associated risk behaviors depended upon city-specific local conditions. Alcohol use was frequently combined with heroin, leading to risky injection behavior or overdose. Conclusions: While many IDUs travel infrequently, these "urban nomad" IDUs clearly travel extensively. This creates many opportunities for the geographic diffusion of both blood-borne pathogens and new drug use practices. Targeted health services and additional research with this group are needed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
• recognize that extensive travel among certain groups of injecting drug users is not uncommon;
• recognize travel among IDUs as a serious risk for geographic diffusion of blood-borne pathogens.

Keywords: HIV Risk Behavior, Injection Drug Users

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.